From Camerlengo to Conclave: The steps after a Pope’s passing

Following the Vatican’s announcement today of the passing of Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church will implement complex traditional rituals marking the end of one pontificate and the beginning of another.

Many of these rituals are governed by the constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, approved by Pope John Paul II in 1996 and revised by Benedict XVI in 2007 and 2013.

During the period when the papal office is vacant, the daily affairs of the Roman Catholic Church, with its approximately 1.4 billion members, will be managed by the Camerlengo, currently Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Among the Camerlengo’s duties is the official confirmation of the Pope’s death.

Today, this has become a simple formality due to the presence of a doctor and the issuance of an official death certificate.

However, before the 20th century, this ritual involved striking the Pope’s forehead three times with a silver hammer to confirm death.

The Camerlengo and three assistants chosen from among the cardinal electors, cardinals under the age of 80, determine when the Pope’s body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica for the faithful to pay their respects.

They also ensure the destruction of the Pope’s “Fisherman’s Ring” and lead seal so that no one else can use them. An autopsy is not performed on the deceased Pope.

The Camerlengo locks and seals the Pope’s private residence. While previous Popes resided in the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis lived in a small apartment in the Santa Marta Guest House.

The Camerlengo and other cardinals cannot make significant decisions affecting the church or change church teachings.

Most heads of Vatican departments step down until the new Pope confirms their authority or appoints replacements.

Mourning ceremonies last for nine days, and the date of the funeral is determined by the cardinals. According to Universi Dominici Gregis, the funeral must begin between the fourth and sixth day after the Pope’s death.

How will Pope Francis’s funeral be?

Pope Francis, who avoided ostentation, changed and simplified the funeral rituals for Popes last year.

The funeral mass will still be held in St. Peter’s Square. However, unlike many of his predecessors, Francis wished to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, near the icon of the Virgin Mary he deeply loved.

Francis also requested to be buried in a simple wooden coffin, unlike his predecessors who were interred in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak.

He did not want his body to be displayed on a catafalque in St. Peter’s Basilica for pilgrims to pay their respects, as was done for previous Popes.

How does the Conclave elect a new Pope?

Following the Pope’s death, cardinals from around the world gather in Rome. In daily meetings known as General Congregations, they discuss church matters and determine the qualities they believe the new Pope should possess.

Cardinals aged 80 and over can participate in the General Congregation, but they cannot enter the Conclave, which is held to elect the next Pope and is only attended by cardinals under the age of 80.

Much of the discussion takes place in private conversations among the cardinals.

Traditionally, the Conclave convenes after a 15-day mourning period. However, before his resignation in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI amended the constitution to allow the Conclave to begin earlier by decision of the cardinals, or no more than 20 days after the Pope’s death if some cardinals have difficulty reaching Rome.

The Conclave is held in the Sistine Chapel. Until the two Conclaves in 1978, which elected John Paul I and John Paul II, cardinals stayed in temporary rooms set up next to the Sistine Chapel.

Since the 2005 Conclave that elected Benedict XVI, cardinals cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel but reside in the Santa Marta Guest House, which has approximately 130 rooms.

The Santa Marta building is completely isolated from the outside world, and cardinals are transported by bus to the Sistine Chapel to vote.

The word “Conclave” is derived from the Latin phrase meaning “under key.”

This tradition began in the 13th century when cardinals were kept under lock and key to expedite their decision-making and limit outside interference.

Today, all communication with the outside world is prohibited for Conclave participants. Phones, the internet, and newspapers are not allowed, and Vatican police use electronic security measures to block signals.

Except for the first day of voting, cardinals vote twice a day.

A two-thirds majority plus one vote is required for a Pope to be elected.

If no one is elected after 13 days, a new vote is held between the two candidates with the most votes, but the requirement of a two-thirds majority plus one vote remains.

This rule aims to ensure unity and prevent the election of compromise candidates.

How is the new Pope announced?

After the new Pope is elected, he is asked if he accepts the papal office and what name he will take. If he refuses, the election process begins again.

The new Pope puts on white robes, prepared beforehand in three different sizes, and sits on the throne in the Sistine Chapel.

Here, the other cardinals pay their respects and take an oath of obedience.

The election of the new Pope is announced to the world by white smoke rising from the chapel chimney.

This smoke is the result of burning the ballots with special chemicals. If the smoke is black, it means that the voting rounds have not yet determined a winner.

Currently, French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the Cardinal Protodeacon, steps onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and addresses the crowd gathered in the square in Latin, saying “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a Pope!”).

Then the newly elected Pope appears on the balcony and gives his first blessing as Pope (Urbi et Orbi).