Pope Francis died at the age of 88 after leading the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years. His death has started a period of mourning with special ceremonies that go back hundreds of years. It also begins the process of choosing a new pope. A group of cardinals, called a conclave, will likely meet about 15 to 20 days after his death to vote on the next leader.
What Happens Right After the Pope Dies?
After a pope dies, the person in charge is called the camerlengo (or chamberlain). Right now, that is Cardinal Kevin Farrell. He confirms the pope’s death with help from a doctor and signs the death papers. No autopsy is done.
On Easter Monday, the Vatican said Pope Francis’s body would be placed in a coffin in his private chapel that evening. Cardinal Farrell will lead the first ceremony.
He will also seal the pope’s home so no one can enter. Unlike most popes, Francis lived in a small, simple guesthouse instead of the large Vatican apartment.
Cardinal Farrell also must break the pope’s ring and seal so they can’t be used again. Then he and three other cardinals will plan the mourning period, the funeral, and the burial.
The mourning usually lasts nine days. Church rules say these special events should start between four and six days after the pope’s death. They will also decide when to move the pope’s body to St. Peter’s Basilica for people to say goodbye. That could happen as early as Wednesday.
Pope Francis’s Funeral Plans
Pope Francis didn’t like fancy traditions. He asked not to have his body displayed on a tall stand in the middle of the church like past popes. Instead, people will see his body lying in a simple coffin with the lid off.
His funeral will happen four to six days after his death in St. Peter’s Square. Funerals for popes are usually big events, but Francis wanted a simpler one. He also asked to be buried in a plain wooden casket. Unlike past popes, he won’t be buried in the Vatican. Instead, he’ll be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, near an image of the Virgin Mary that he loved.
How Is a New Pope Chosen?
When a pope dies, cardinals from around the world come to the Vatican to choose a new one. This vote is called a conclave. Normally, they wait 15 days for mourning before voting, but that can change.
Only cardinals under age 80 can vote. There are 135 cardinals who are allowed to vote right now. Until a new pope is chosen, the Church is led by these cardinals, though their power is limited.
What Happens During the Conclave?
The cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel. They can’t use phones or the internet. They talk and vote in secret. To become pope, a candidate must get two-thirds of the votes.
Smoke signals let the public know what’s happening. Black smoke means no pope has been chosen yet. White smoke means a new pope has been elected.
Announcing the New Pope
After the white smoke rises, the new pope usually appears within an hour on a balcony in St. Peter’s Square. A senior cardinal will say “Habemus Papam,” which means “We have a Pope” in Latin. He then introduces the new pope by the name he has chosen.
Pope Francis, for example, was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Who Can Be Pope?
In theory, any Catholic man who’s been baptized could be pope. But usually, the cardinals choose one of their own. Francis was the first pope from South America. Before him, most popes were from Europe, especially Italy.
What Does the Pope Do?
The pope is the leader of the Catholic Church. Catholics believe the pope is the successor of Saint Peter, who was one of Jesus’s first followers. The pope has a lot of power and guides the Church’s teachings and actions. He lives in Vatican City in Rome and doesn’t get a salary. The Vatican pays for his needs and travel.
Read More: Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Legacy of Compassion and Reform
