It’s no longer news that the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, passed away on Easter Monday morninv at the age of 88.
Francis led the church for over 12 years, impacting over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
His death marked the end of a significant chapter for the Church and begins a carefully planned process that mixes tradition, respect, and centuries-old customs.
As the New York Times puts it, the death of a Pope throws the Vatican into “its most dramatic moment of flux.”
This period, known as the interregnum, follows strict rules and ancient traditions to keep the Church stable and organised during the transition.
Hereunder is a step-by-step look at what happens when a Pope dies:
1. Confirmation of Death
The first step is confirming the Pope’s death. This responsibility falls to the camerlengo, who is the trusted treasurer of the church and oversees the funeral and preparations for choosing a new pope.
The camerlengo calls out the Pope’s baptismal name three times. If there is no answer, the Pope is officially declared dead.
Currently, Cardinal Kevin Farrell holds the position of Camerlengo.
Although an old tradition involved tapping the Pope’s forehead with a silver hammer, this stopped in 1963. The verbal call remains a key part of this ritual.
2. Notification and Announcement
The Vatican shares the news once the death is confirmed through its official communication channels.
The announcement quickly reaches the public and signals the beginning of the transition process.
3. Locking the Papal Apartment
Immediately after the pope’s death is made public, the camerlengo locks the papal apartment.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, this act is symbolic and practical; it begins the interregnum and prevents unauthorised entry or tampering. In the past, this was done to avoid looting.
4. Destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring
Next, the pope’s official seal, called the Fisherman’s Ring, is destroyed. This ring, which shows Saint Peter fishing, represents the pope’s authority as Peter’s successor. Destroying the ring prevents it from being misused to issue fake documents.
Afterwards, the camerlengo writes a formal declaration of death, attaching a certificate prepared by the head of health services. A new Fisherman’s Ring will be made for the next Pope.
5. Preparation of the Body
The pope’s body is carefully prepared, beginning with embalming to prevent decay. He is then dressed in liturgical vestments and displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Organs were once removed and preserved as relics, but that tradition has faded over time. The pope’s body is placed in a coffin, usually made up of three nested layers, and buried in the Vatican grounds.
However, Pope Francis changed this custom. He requested a simpler burial, reflecting his values of humility, choosing to be buried without an elevated platform, the Catholic News Agency reports.
The master of liturgical celebrations, Ravelli, decides when the faithful can pay their respects before the coffin is moved for public viewing.
6. Lying in State and Public Mourning
The pope’s body is taken to St. Peter’s Basilica, or another chosen location, for public viewing, where mourners can pay their last respects. When the body enters the basilica, the Litany of Saints is sung, and the camerlengo leads the procession.
Pope Francis also made another change; he wished to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, an expression of his love for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This makes him the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican, rather than with the other 91 popes in St. Peter’s Basilica.
In keeping with his preference for simplicity, his coffin will be placed at ground level facing the congregation, with a Paschal candle nearby.
7. The Novendiale (Nine Days of Mourning)
The Church then will observe Novendiale, a nine-day mourning period. This tradition, dating back to Ancient Rome, involves special Masses, prayers, and memorial services held in the Vatican and worldwide.
The evening before the funeral, the camerlengo leads the closing and sealing of the coffin. In the presence of other cardinals, a white cloth is placed over the pope’s face, the Catholic Encyclopedia noted.
8. The Papal Funeral
The funeral is an important event, attended by all 252 cardinals worldwide, who are invited by the dean of the College of Cardinals. They gather in Rome not only for the funeral but also to begin the process of selecting the next pope.
The dean leads the funeral, currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (age 91). If he is unable to, the vice dean, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri (age 81), or another senior cardinal takes over.
The pope is dressed in papal vestments and lies in a coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica for several days so that the public can say their goodbyes. World leaders are expected to attend the funeral.
According to Church rules (from the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis), the funeral is usually held between the fourth and sixth day after the pope’s death. A public Mass takes place in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
While past popes were buried in three coffins, wood, lead, and wood again, Pope Francis updated the tradition in 2024. Now, only a wooden coffin lined with zinc is used.
Inside the coffin, a silk veil will be placed over the pope’s face. Along with it is a pouch of coins minted during his time as pope and a sealed document summarising his life and work, known as the “cogito.”
With the burial complete, the nine official days of mourning (novemdiales) begin, and preparations for the conclave, the election of a new pope, are set in motion.
