A number of world leaders have expressed their sympathy on the Pope’s death as he passed away on Monday due to a stroke; Cardinals will gather today to make funeral arrangements.
According to a statement from the Vatican, Pope Francis died on Monday (April 21, 2025.) He was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church per 88 years and passed away after reigning for 12 years. The Vatican issued a statement claiming he suffered from a stroke which caused a coma and “irreversible” cardiac arrest.
The whole world over leaders are expected to appear at the funeral of Pope Francis as the cardinals on April 22, 2025 begin planning a conclave for May where they will begin the selection process for the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
What happens when a pope dies?
Following the passing of Pope Francis on Monday (April 21, 2025), goes into effect centuries-old traditions which after some time winds up in Cardinals choosing a new pontiff. These include a new leader of Catholic Church, intricate funeral arrangements, and a detailed nine-day supine period.
In the riveting, award-winning film ”Conclave”, the conflict between conservative and progressive cardinals streamlines an intense fight for the papacy as a Pope is selected through an election. ”Conclave” highlighted, very dramatically, the election process in which one person is chosen out of a billion followers worldwide.
Confirmation of Pope’s death
The Camerelengo, or Cardinal Chamberlain, is currently Kevin Joseph Farrell, a 77-year-old American of Irish descent. He is the one who, at a Pope’s death, ceremonially confirms the death by tapping their head thrice with a silver hammer saying out loud their name and looking down upon them.
End of Pope Francis’ reign
Upon the pope’s death, the fisherman’s ring, his signet ring, is destroyed, marking the end of his rule. The papal flats are shut and the vatican announces his death to the sanctorum.
Mourning
With the passing of the Pope, the Novendiale mourning ritual spanning 9 days in Italy will commence including the nation on a state of official mourning. The Popes private chapel will house the Popes body and bring it dressed in papal vestments.
Orthodox Frank has instructed for no display at the St. Peters Basilica catafalque. Tempted to make an exception to longstanding tradition by granting visitors only viewing access to his casket.
Interval during which the pope dies and a new one is elected is known as sede vacante. It translates to “sitting vacant”. This is when the Vatican enters a bandwidth level.
During this period rule of the church is temporarily placed into hands of the College of Cardinals.
Burial
Service will be conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. In the case of a deceased Pope, the funeral would be expected to occur within a time frame of four to six days following the death and mournful rites within numerous churches in Rome would be celebrated for nine days. In accordance with long-established customs, the papal remains are interred into the Vatican Grottoes, below St. Peter’s Basilica. However, Pope Francis wishes to be interred in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, thus becoming the first pontiff in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican
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