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Passing of Pope Francis: Pontiff Dies at 88
VATICAN CITY – The passing of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, signifies the end of an era for the global religious institution.
After a 13-year pontificate, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Monday, April 21. The Vatican issued a statement confirming his demise at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta.
“With profound grief, I must inform you of the passing of our Holy Father, Francis,” declared Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a released statement on Monday. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church.”
The statement further conveyed, “He instructed us to embody the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, valor, and universal compassion, especially towards the most impoverished and marginalized.”
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The Pontiff’s passing occurred hours after his public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the Easter Sunday celebration on April 20.
In the wake of the Pope’s death, the most senior members of the Catholic Church – those under 80 years of age – will convene in Rome for a secret conclave to choose the succeeding Pope. Notably, the 2024 film Conclave, featuring Ralph Fiennes, depicts a similar narrative.
Further details are provided below:
The Conclave Explained
Within the Roman Catholic Church, a conclave is defined as an assembly of cardinals—high-ranking clergy members—tasked with electing the new Pope.
Conclave Duration
Conventionally, the conclave proceedings do not formally commence until approximately 10 to 15 days after the Pope’s death.
The Pope’s body will be displayed at St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. His funeral, a mass in St Peter’s Square, will be held between four and six days following his passing.
Conclave Location
Cardinals gather within the Sistine Chapel. During the papal election, the chapel doors are sealed to those participating in the vote, except for a few trusted medical professionals and advisors.
Conclave Procedures
The election procedure is conducted under strict confidentiality. Daily mass and voting sessions are held. Following every seven ballots, a period for reflection and prayer is observed. A two-thirds majority vote is required to elect a new Pope.
Following each voting round, ballots are incinerated. Black smoke from the chimney signals an inconclusive vote to the public. White smoke indicates the election of a new Pope.
Conclave Timeline
There is no predetermined timeframe for a conclave. Voting may persist for weeks, or even months, until a two-thirds majority is attained.