Pope Has Passed Away; Latest Updates on Events Surrounding His Demise
Pope's Vacancy: What's Next and Who's In Charge?
The Holy See is without a leader, and the Pope is gone. Here's a rundown of the events to come, the individuals in charge, and the procedures following Papa Francesco's departure.
When's the Last Rites?
After a period of bereavement, the Pope will be laid to rest. Initially, close companions will say their farewells in the chapel of his residence. The general public will then pay their respects at St. Peter's Basilica, where the Pope's coffin will likely rest from Wednesday onwards. A week after his passing, a funeral mass will take place on St. Peter's Square.
Final Resting Place?
Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis has chosen Santa Maria Maggiore—a side chapel in this Roman church—as his burial site. The process of moving the coffin to his favored church and burial there will take place following the funeral mass.
Who Runs the Church Now?
During the vacancy, the Church is managed by the College of Cardinals, currently composed of 252 members, with approximately half being 80 or older. The college's top official, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (91), presides and moderates as its dean. The cardinals may not introduce new ecclesiastical legislation or make significant decisions during this period. Most cardinals relinquish their positions inside the Vatican, with only a few retaining their duties during the sede vacante.
Who Calls the Conclave?
The Dean of the Cardinals is responsible for summoning all cardinals from across the globe to Rome. Shortly after the Pope's demise, "general congregations" are held in the Vatican, during which the already present cardinals discuss practical matters and deliberate on the qualities of the upcoming Pope. Around three weeks after the Pope's death, only those aged under 80 will participate in the election at the Sistine Chapel. At present, 135 cardinals are eligible to vote.
What Happens Next?
Cardinal Pietro Parolin leads the isolated voting sessions, which are conducted with strict confidentiality. Each round requires cardinals to submit a ballot bearing a nominee's name under oath. A candidate is elected if he receives more than two-thirds of the votes and accepts the position.
The Smoke and the Holy See
The ballots are burned with chemicals that produce black smoke following unsuccessful voting rounds, bringing about the smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney. After a successful vote, white-colored chemicals are added, leading to the famous appearance of white smoke. Shortly after, the newly elected Pope makes his first public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and offers his first blessing.
In essence, the election of the next Pope transpires through a meticulously defined process guided by apostolic constitutions and centuries-old traditions, conducted in a conclave—a controlled setting with cardinal electors—ensuring a broad consensus among cardinals to steward the Catholic Church.
The financial aspects of the Church during the vacancy will be managed by a select group of cardinals, as prescribed by long-standing traditions and church laws. In the realm of business leadership, the College of Cardinals, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will preside over the Church until a new Pope is elected.
Upon the conclusion of the conclave, the newly elected Pope, at a critical juncture in the church's history, will bring fresh leadership to the Catholic Church, shaping its future trajectory in the realms of finance, business, and beyond.
