With the death of Pope Francis, which occurred this morning at 7:35 a.m. as announced by Cardinal Farrell, a new phase opens for the Catholic Church: the Apostolic See is vacant, and the rites leading to the election of his successor in the coming weeks begin.
But what actually happens in the Vatican when a Pope dies? What are the steps involved? And what timeframe should we expect for the Conclave to begin?
1. The Sede Vacante: what it means
From the moment of the Pope’s death, the See of Peter is officially vacant(Sede Vacante). All powers connected with the Papacy automatically cease. During this period, the provisional leadership of the Church passes to the Camerlengo, a key figure under the Apostolic Constitution.
Currently, the Camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, former Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. He will be the one to oversee the administrative and organisational aspects of the transition, and to officially certify the Pontiff’s death (if he has not already done so), sealing the papal flat and guarding the papal rings.
2. The Pope’s funeral: timing and protocol
The funeral of a Pope is never just a liturgical moment, but an event of historical and symbolic significance. It will probably be celebrated between the 5th and 6th day after his death, to allow international delegations and the faithful to arrive in Rome.
In the case of Francis, who always showed radical sobriety and a sober, pastoral personal style, it is not excluded that he left precise indications for a simple funeral. However, the solemn rites remain:
- The exhibition of the body in St. Peter’s Basilica, probably starting tomorrow, for the veneration of the faithful.
- Thesolemn funeral was presided over by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
- Burial in the Vatican Grottoes or in another place indicated by the deceased Pontiff. Benedict XVI was buried in the crypt that was once John Paul II’s.
3. The Conclave: who, when and how the new Pope is elected
After the celebration of the funeral and the end of the Sede Vacante, the Conclave, the secret meeting of the College of Cardinal electors called to choose the new Pope, will open.
Who votes
- Only cardinals under the age of 80 on the day of the pope’s death have the right to vote. Currently, there are about 120 electors.
- All voters must be present at the Vatican. There are 15 days, extendable to 20, to allow everyone to arrive.
How to vote
- The cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel.
- The election process is secret, solemn, and guided by strict rules.
- There are up to four votes per day (two in the morning, two in the afternoon).
- A qualified majority of two-thirds is needed to elect the Pope.
Voting continues until a name emerges with the necessary consensus. When this happens, the Dean of the College of Cardinals asks the chosen one: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” – and, in the event of an affirmative answer, asks him what papal name he intends to assume.
4. Smoking, waiting and announcing to the world
As per tradition, each vote ends with a smoke: black if the election has not been reached, white when the Pope has been chosen. At that moment, the bells of St. Peter’s ring festively.
Immediately afterwards, the new Pontiff is dressed in papal robes, and appears from the Loggia delle Benedizioni to pronounce the now famous Habemus Papam, followed by the first ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing.
5. What direction for the Church?
If the technical process is marked by established protocols, the real question mark remains the profile of the successor. Will he be a pope of continuity with respect to Francis’ line, or will there be a return to a more traditional and doctrinal figure?
The coming days will be dense with analysis, indiscretions and manoeuvres within the College of Cardinals. But, as always in the history of the Church, the papal election is also a mystery of faith, as well as ecclesial strategy.
