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Global Catholics Mourn Pope Francis: Key Events Following His Passing
The world’s 1.3 billion Catholics are in mourning following the death of Pope Francis. As the Vatican and the global Catholic community grieve, specific procedures and traditions will be enacted to mark this significant occasion and to pave the way for the election of a new leader of the Catholic Church. This article outlines the immediate steps and the process for selecting the next Pope.
Official Mourning Period and the Conclave
In the wake of the 88-year-old Pontiff’s death, an official mourning period of nine days will commence. However, the historic conclave, where cardinals convene in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to elect the successor, will not begin until at least 15 days from today. This period allows for mourning and preparations for the complex election process.
Certifying the Pontiff’s Demise
The initial formal step involves the Vatican Chamberlain, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, officially confirming the Pope’s death. This is done by calling out Pope Francis’s name three times at his bedside in a traditional rite of verification.
Sealing Papal Apartments and Breaking the Fisherman’s Ring
Following the certification, the Pope’s private office and living quarters will be sealed to prevent any unauthorized access. A symbolic act is then performed where the papal fisherman’s ring, a unique signet ring worn by the Pope, is removed from his finger and broken with a hammer. This signifies the end of his papacy.
Lying in State at St. Peter’s Basilica
The body of the deceased Pope will be prepared for public viewing. Dressed in red vestments and adorned with a white mitre, the body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica. Here, Pope Francis will lie in state for three days, allowing pilgrims and mourners to pay their respects.
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The Funeral Ceremony
The Papal funeral is slated to take place within six days of his death. In a departure from the tradition of most previous Popes, Francis will be interred in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood, rather than in the papal grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Conclave: Electing a New Pope
The responsibility of electing a new Pope falls to the College of Cardinals. However, only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. Currently, out of 252 cardinals, 138 meet this age requirement and will participate in the upcoming election.
Seclusion and Voting Process in the Sistine Chapel
The cardinal electors will be sequestered within the Sistine Chapel for the duration of the conclave. To ensure the secrecy and sanctity of the process, they will be cut off from all external communication and technology until a new Pope is elected by a two-thirds majority vote.
While past conclaves have varied in length, with the 2013 conclave following Pope Benedict’s resignation lasting only a day, they can technically extend for weeks, months, or even years. Modern conclaves, however, typically conclude within a few days. If no decision is reached after approximately two weeks of balloting, the rules allow for a simple majority vote as an alternative.
Commencing the Conclave
The conclave begins with the ‘Pro eligendo Romano Pontificie’ Mass, specifically for the election of the Roman Pontiff. In the afternoon, the cardinals assemble in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace and then proceed into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the Litany of Saints and the Veni Creator hymn in Latin, invoking divine guidance for their important decision.
Oaths and Secrecy
Beneath Michelangelo’s renowned frescoes, ‘Creation’ and ‘Last Judgment,’ each cardinal places his hand on the Gospels. They pledge an oath of utmost fidelity, vowing never to disclose any details pertaining to the conclave proceedings. Following this, a meditation is delivered, focusing on the qualities desired in the next Pope and the challenges confronting the Church.
‘Extra Omnes’ and Balloting
The Master of Liturgical Celebrations then proclaims ‘Extra omnes,’ Latin for ‘all out,’ signaling all non-cardinals to leave the chapel, ensuring the secrecy of the election. The voting process then commences. Each cardinal secretly writes his choice on a ballot inscribed with ‘Eligo in summen pontificem’ (I elect as Supreme Pontiff).
One by one, each cardinal approaches the altar, declaring: ‘I call as my witness, Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.’ The folded ballot is then placed on a plate and slid into a designated urn. Traditionally, a single chalice was used, but modern regulations since 1996 prescribe three separate vessels: one for chapel ballots, one for ballots from infirm cardinals voting remotely, and a third to receive the counted ballots.
Smoke Signals: Announcing the Election Result
Throughout the conclave, tens of thousands of Catholics in St Peter’s Square, and millions more globally via television and online, will be watching for smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney after each round of voting. Black smoke indicates no Pope has been elected, while white smoke signals a successful election.
The smoke is produced by burning the ballots, with dyes added to ensure the correct color indication for the waiting world.
Announcement and Acceptance of the New Pope
Once a Pope is elected, the Master of Liturgical Ceremonies enters the Sistine Chapel to formally ask the chosen cardinal: ‘Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?’ Upon acceptance, the cardinal is then asked by what papal name he wishes to be known.
The newly elected Pope is then vested in the white papal cassock. Each cardinal then approaches him to pledge their obedience. Finally, the new Pope emerges onto the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square to greet the jubilant faithful for the first time.
‘Habemus Papam’
Prior to the Pope’s appearance, the Cardinal Protodeacon, currently Dominique Mamberti, steps onto the balcony to announce ‘Habemus Papam,’ Latin for ‘We have a Pope,’ to the eagerly waiting crowd.
Pope Francis’s Burial Plans Reflect Personal Devotion
Pope Francis’s decision to be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore breaks with recent tradition, as most Popes, including his predecessor Benedict XVI, are interred beneath St Peter’s Basilica. Seven Popes were buried at Santa Maria Maggiore between 1216 and 1669, and Francis’s choice reflects his personal devotion to this basilica where he frequently prayed before and after his travels.
Furthermore, in another departure from tradition, new funeral rites issued last year stipulate that Pope Francis will be laid to rest in a simple zinc-lined wooden casket.