The passing of Pope Francis on Monday marks the initiation of long-standing traditions that will lead to the selection of a new pontiff by cardinals, albeit with some modifications. Here is how the process unfolds:
Sede Vacante
The Catholic Church now enters a phase known as “Sede Vacante” (Vacant See), during which a senior cardinal assumes control of daily operations until a new pope is chosen. In this instance, the cardinal serving as “camerlengo” (chamberlain) will be Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American appointed to this position by Pope Francis in February 2019.
He is the only high-ranking official in the Church to retain his position, as all others are expected to resign following the pope’s death.
Traditionally, his primary duty has been to confirm the death, which involves tapping the pontiff’s forehead three times with a special silver hammer and announcing his birth name. The camerlengo is also responsible for destroying the “Fisherman’s Ring,” a gold signet ring crafted specifically for each new pope, which was once used to seal documents.
Initially, this act of destruction was intended to prevent forgery, but it now serves merely to symbolise the conclusion of a papacy during the first gathering of the cardinals in the Sede Vacante.
Funeral
Cardinals from around the world will convene in a series of meetings known as “general congregations.” They will determine a burial date, which must be scheduled between four and six days after death, and arrange the “novemdiales,” the nine days of mourning.
While Francis’s immediate predecessors were interred in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, he requested to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
His body will be contained in a single coffin made of wood and zinc—a departure from tradition, where previous popes were buried in three coffins made of cypress, lead, and elm, placed one inside the other.
This alteration in funeral customs better represents what Francis envisions as the pope’s role as “a pastor and disciple of Christ, rather than as a powerful figure of this world,” according to a senior official.
An open coffin will be displayed for veneration of the faithful in St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the end of the traditional display of papal bodies on elevated platforms supported by cushions.
The Conclave
The general congregations will also serve as a means to evaluate potential successors to Francis, referred to as “papabili.” During these congregations, a date for the conclave will be established, which is expected to take place between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death.
According to a system that dates back to the 13th century, the conclave involves cardinals under the age of 80 gathering in private to elect the next pope from among themselves. Currently, there are 135 “cardinal electors,” with Francis having appointed 108.
Among them, 53 hail from Europe, 20 from North America, 18 from Africa, 23 from Asia, four from Oceania, and 17 from South America.
The term “conclave,” which translates to “with a key,” refers to the requirement for cardinals to remain in seclusion until a new pope is elected. Since the late 19th century, all conclaves have been conducted in the Sistine Chapel, a Renaissance masterpiece adorned with Michelangelo’s renowned frescoes.
Cardinals must adhere to strict secrecy under the threat of excommunication during the voting process.
Two ballots are cast each morning and two each afternoon daily until a candidate secures two-thirds of the votes. After each voting session, the ballots are incinerated in a stove located by the chapel, releasing smoke above the Apostolic Palace.
The smoke appears black following each unsuccessful ballot and white once a vote is successful. The bells of St Peter’s will peal to accompany the white smoke.
Habemus Papam
After being elected, the new pope will be guided into a small sacristy adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, known as the “Sala delle Lacrime” or “Room of Tears,” where he can reflect on his new role.
The dean of the College of Cardinals, who is presently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will inquire whether the newly selected pontiff accepts his election and what name he wishes to take, at which point he instantly becomes the bishop of Rome and pope.
The new pope is assisted into his vestments, which come in three sets, each in a different size. One by one, the cardinals pay their respects to him.
Shortly thereafter, he will emerge on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The senior cardinal deacon, currently Renato Raffaele Martino, will then declare the iconic phrase in Latin: “Habemus Papam!” (We have a pope!).
