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The Vatican has begun nine days of mourning rituals following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the second day of Catholic Easter. This marks the end of one of the most significant pontificates of our time – the first Pope from Latin America.
According to canonical rules, the conclave to elect a new pope must begin in the Sistine Chapel no earlier than 15 and no later than 20 days after the death of the pontiff. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can participate.
What is happening in the Vatican:
- The cardinal-camerlengo officially certifies the death of the pontiff.
- The “fisherman’s ring” and the Pope’s personal signet ring are broken so that no one can abuse power.
- The Pope’s body will be laid to rest in St Peter’s Basilica.
- The funeral will take place in about 4-6 days in St. Peter’s Square.
Francis had previously requested that he be buried not in St Peter’s Crypt, like many of his predecessors, but in St Mary the Great Basilica in Rome, in a simple wooden coffin.
How the new pope is elected: The cardinals in the Sistine Chapel vote in several rounds until one of the candidates receives 2/3 of the votes plus one. White smoke from the chimney announces that the new Pope has been elected, and a few minutes later he appears on the balcony with the traditional address “Habemus Papam!”
