The Roman Catholic Church will start with traditional rituals to mark the end of one papacy and lead to the start of the next after the death of Pope Francis on Monday.
The death of a pope begins a series of events that include confirmation of death in the house of the Pontiff, the transfer of the coffin to St. Peter’s Basilica for public view, a funeral and funeral.
The pope’s body is expected to be moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, with a group of cardinals who meet on Tuesday to make a formal decision, the Vatican said.
The affairs of the nearly 1.4 billion member-Rooms Catholic Church in the period known as the “Sede Vacante” (empty chair) are managed by the Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, known as the Camerlengo.
He officially confirms the death of the Pope, nowadays a simple case of a doctor and a death certificate, without autopsy.
Pope Francis the day before he died. ((Reuters: Guglielmo Mangiaipane))
Until somewhere in the 20th century this ritual was done by tapping a silver hammer on the forehead of the pope three times.
The key figure and three cardinals under the age of 80 decide when the Pope’s body in St Peter’s Basilica should be brought to the public to express their respect.
Cardinals are not allowed to make major decisions that influence the church or change the doctrine until a new pope has been chosen.
Mourning rituals last nine days, with the date of the funeral and funeral that must be determined by the cardinals.
How the pope’s funeral will be different
The funeral mass is still being held at St Peter’s Square, but unlike many predecessors, Francis asked Francis to be buried in Rome’s St Mary Major Basilica to be near his favorite icon of the Madonna.
A woman prays next to a photo of Pope Francis, after his death on Monday. ((Reuters: Athit perawongmetha))
Pope Francis, who brought much of the privilege to lead the worldwide Catholic Church, asked to be buried in a simple wooden box, in contrast to predecessors buried in three interlocking boxes made of cypresses, lead and oak.
He asked that his body would not be seen on top of a raised platform in St. Peter’s Basilica for visitors to Rome to view, as was the case with earlier popes.
Nuns are on St Peter’s Square, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican. ((Reuters: Yara Nardi))
How is the new pope chosen?
Cardinals from all over the world descend on Rome after the death of a pope.
They hold daily meetings to discuss ecclesiastical matters and appoint the characteristics that they believe that the new pope should have.
Cardinals aged 80 or older can attend the general municipalities, but should not enter the conclave to choose the next pope, a collection of cardinals under the age of 80.
Former Pope Benedict (right), with Pope Francis during a ceremony in the Vatican in 2016. ((Reuters: Vatican media ))
Much of the discussion takes place in personal interactions between the cardinals.
Traditionally there is a mourning period of 15 days before a conclave can begin.
Before resigning in 2013, Pope Benedict changed the constitution to allow it to start earlier if the cardinals chose it, or a maximum of 20 days after death if some cardinals have difficulty with Rome.
Since the 2005 conclave that chosen Paus Benedictus, they have voted in the Sistine Chapel, but stayed in the Santa Marta Guest House, with around 130 rooms.
Pope Francis (left) and Pope Benedict XVI (right) when they were each selected new. ((Reuters: Alessandro Bianchi ))
The word conclave occurs from Latin “with a key” and stems from a tradition that started in the 13th century where cardinals were locked up to force them to decide as quickly as possible and to limit external interference.
The election itself is dressed in secret, nowadays the cardinals are forbidden to communicate any communication with the outside world.
Phones, internet and newspapers are not allowed and the police of Vatican use security to maintain the rules.
Each cardinal makes its choice, folds the paper in two, walks to the front of the chapel and explains: “I call Christ Christ’s witness the Lord, who will be my judge, that my voice is given to the person thinking for God that should be chosen.”
Unlike predecessors, Pope asked Francis to be buried in a simple wooden box. ((Reuters: Yara Nardi))
Apart from the first day of the conclave, when there is one mood, the cardinals vote twice a day.
A majority of two -thirds plus one is needed for elections.
If nobody is chosen after 13 days, a run-off is held between the two leading candidates, but a two-thirds plus one majority is still needed.
After the ballot papers are pierced, they are burned in a cylindrical stove at the end of the voice session.
Black smoke from the Sixtine Chapel chimney means no decision; White smoke signals The cardinals have chosen a pope and that he has accepted.
How is a new pope officially announced?
When the conclave has chosen a pope, he is asked if he accepts and what name he wants to take.
But if he refuses, the procedure starts again.
The new Pope Dont white robes that are set up in three sizes and sits on a throne in the Sixtine chapel to receive the other cardinals, who pay tribute and promise obedience.
Black smoke comes from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel, while in 2013 cardinals vote for a new pope. ((Max Rossi: Reuters))
The senior voter among the Cardinal Deacons, currently the French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, steps on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce to the crowds in the “Habemus Papam” square (we have a Pope).
The new pope then appears and gives the crowd his first blessing as Pontiff.
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