Arcane rites and secret elections: Pope Francis has died so here’s what happens next

After 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, so what happens next?

Announcing the sullen news on Monday, his Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, said: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.

“He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

Though it largely carries a ceremonial purpose in modern times, this morning would have seen Cardinal Farrell attempt to rouse the Pope by calling out his name. His signet ring, which is used for official documents, is either defaced or destroyed to signal the end of his reign. The papal apartments are then sealed off before the College of Cardinals is informed, and then, the rest of the world.

The next few weeks will be packed with historical tradition and the election of a new Pope, so here’s everything we know.

What happens now that Pope Francis has died?

The Pope’s death on Monday triggered nine days of mourning known as the Novendiale, originally an Ancient Roman custom. The entire country of Italy is also expected to observe a period of national mourning.

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Though previous passings have seen lavish displays of wealth and grandeur, Pope Francis has done away with those traditions for a more stripped-back approach. He will be blessed, dressed in papal vestments and exhibited in St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, where thousands of people ranging from everyday folks to world leaders will pay their respects. Daily prayer services and Requiem Masses will also be held at St. Peter’s Basilica and throughout the wider Catholic world.

Though no major decisions will be made until a new Pope is elected, the Vatican will enter a transitional period called sede vacante, meaning “while the seat is vacant.” During this period, control of the Catholic world is temporarily handed over to the College of Cardinals.

The burial of Pope Francis will be quite different

Once the arcane rites and rituals have been completed, the funeral will be hosted in St. Peter’s Square between four and six days after his death as thousands cram into the Vatican for the service. It will be led by 91-year-old Italian Giovanni Battista Re, the current Dean of the College of Cardinals.

Though tradition calls for Pope Francis to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, where over 100 former Popes are interred, this time will be much different as the Pope is laid to rest in his favourite church, Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. Pope Francis has also done away with the three-coffin tradition, choosing instead to be buried in a simple design of wood and zinc.

It’s expected that Pope Francis will be buried with a scroll called a rogito that tells the unique story of his reign.

Then comes the election

Credit: Photo by Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Two to three weeks after the election, the College of Cardinals will convene in the Sistine Chapel to hold a conclave. The highly secretive process sees the Cardinals locked inside under an oath of secrecy, each of them writing their vote on a ballot and placing it in a chalice atop the altar.

Candidates require a two-thirds majority to be elected, and there can actually be four rounds per day. The conclave that elected Pope Francis only took 24 hours and five ballots, but earlier conclaves have seen longer periods of voting, such as four months and three YEARS!

Once someone has actually been elected, the ballots are burned for secrecy outside, and a second fire signals the result to the world: Black smoke means a new pope has not been selected, white smoke means one has.

The final ritual is the new Pope being announced to the world. After a representative from the College of Cardinals reads out the Latin announcement Habemus papam, meaning “We have a pope,” the man himself will step out onto St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony for his first official address.

With that, a new leader of the Catholic Church will begin his reign.

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Featured image credit: Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock