The passing of a pope marks a highly solemn occurrence, steeped in traditions preserved over centuries in the Catholic Church. If Pope Francis passes away, there might be variations as he has sought simpler ceremonies compared to his predecessors. Nonetheless, the Vatican will inevitably undergo a complex power transition, followed by choosing a new supreme pontiff.

Confirming the Death and Beginning the Mourning

The first official task falls to the camerlengo, a high-ranking Vatican official. Currently, this role is held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who will be responsible for confirming the death of the pontiff. Traditionally, he visits the pope’s private chapel and calls out the pope’s name three times, awaiting a response. Despite this being more symbolic in modern times, it remains entrenched in Vatican protocol.

Another symbolic act involves destroying the papal ring, known as the Fisherman’s Ring, which bears the pope’s name and seals official documents. Its destruction signifies the end of a papacy. Concurrently, the pope’s apartments are sealed, and his death is publicly announced by the Vatican.

In the days following, Pope Francis’s remains will be dressed in papal vestments and displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica for the faithful to pay their respects. This mourning period traditionally lasts nine days and is referred to as Novendiales, a legacy of ancient Roman customs.

Pope Francis appeared from the famous balcony in St. Peter’s Square at his inauguration in 2013.

The Funeral and Final Resting Place

Historically, popes have been buried in a series of three coffins: cypress, zinc, and elm, symbolizing humility, bodily sealing, and durability. Pope Francis has chosen to forgo this tradition, opting instead for a single casket made from wood and zinc.

The choice of burial site is another significant aspect. Many popes are interred in the Vatican Grottos beneath St. Peter’s Basilica alongside their predecessors. However, Francis has expressed a desire for his resting place to be in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore, one of his favored churches. Should this occur, he would be the first pope in a century not buried at the Vatican.

The Conclave: Choosing a New Pope

Once the pope is buried, a transition period known as sede vacante begins, during which the Catholic Church’s leadership temporarily passes to the College of Cardinals. Lasting between two and three weeks, this period culminates in a conclave—a gathering of cardinals tasked with electing the new pope.

The conclave is held in the Sistine Chapel beneath the renowned ceiling painted by Michelangelo. Cardinals under 80 years old are eligible to vote, and a new pope is selected through a secret process requiring a two-thirds majority vote. If no candidate achieves this, the votes are repeated multiple times daily. While historically some conclaves spanned years, today’s process is much swifter.

After each voting round, ballots are burned in a special chimney in the Sistine Chapel. The resulting smoke signals the world of the outcome: black smoke means no pope has been chosen, whereas white smoke indicates a new pontiff has been selected.

A New Leader for the Catholic Church

Upon being elected, a new pope must choose a papal name, a tradition dating back to the 6th century. Typically, new popes select the name of a saint or predecessor whom they admire.

When the selection process concludes, a cardinal declares Habemus papam! (“We have a pope!”) from St. Peter’s Basilica balcony, marking the new leader of the Catholic Church’s first public appearance.

The pope acts not only as the spiritual guide to roughly a billion Catholics worldwide but also as a significant figure in international politics. His role empowers him to mediate conflicts, influence global decisions, and steer the moral compass of the Church.

The Legacy of Pope Francis and the Vatican’s Future

Pope Francis is recognized for his progressive outlook, openness to reform, and efforts to modernize the Catholic Church. His successor will face the formidable task of balancing tradition with change in an ever-evolving world.

Whether the next pope will continue Francis’s progressive trajectory or pivot the Church back towards stricter conservatism remains to be seen. Undoubtedly, the choice will be pivotal for the Vatican’s and the Catholic world’s future.

We would love to hear your thoughts and insights on the future of the Vatican and the direction of the Catholic Church. Please share your comments!