POPE FRANCIS'S DEATH: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY • "Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, in his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican," the Vatican announced in a statement published on X. With the passing of the Pontiff, one of the Catholic Church's most solemn and meticulously choreographed rituals now begins.

Vatican City, April 21, 2025 – 11:31 AM CEST – With the death of the Pope, one of the most solemn and meticulously choreographed rituals of the Catholic Church begins. The first to be informed is the Camerlengo, the cardinal who serves as the interim administrator of the Vatican during the interregnum. It's his duty to officially verify the Pope's death.

Traditionally, the Camerlengo approaches the Pope's body and calls his baptismal name three times. If there's no response, the Pope is formally declared dead. A death certificate is issued, and the papal apartments are sealed. Historically, this ritual was designed to prevent theft by opportunistic cardinals. Today, it serves to safeguard the authenticity of the Pope's will and last instructions.

The next symbolic act is the destruction of the Fisherman's Ring, a gold ring worn by the Pope and kissed by Catholics in a sign of reverence. The Camerlengo removes it and breaks it in two before the assembled cardinals. This not only prevents any falsification of documents but also marks the end of the Pope's reign.

News of the death is then communicated through official channels. First, the Vicar General of Rome is informed, followed by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who informs the other cardinals. Then, Vatican diplomats—the apostolic nuncios—are tasked with informing foreign embassies and missions around the world.

The Pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after his death. A nine-day period of mourning, known as novemdiales, follows. Much of the funeral and mourning procedures are typically pre-planned by the Pope himself, with detailed instructions left to the Camerlengo for execution.

Fifteen days after the Pope's death, the Papal Conclave begins. This is the closed-door assembly where the College of Cardinals elects the next leader of the Catholic Church. The term Conclave, from the Latin cum clave ("with a key"), refers to the secrecy and isolation imposed on the participants. To prevent external interference, all eligible cardinals—those under 80 years old and not excommunicated—are locked inside the Sistine Chapel. On the first day, they celebrate a Mass, then proceed to the chapel where they swear to follow the strict rules of the election. Voting continues daily until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. After each round, the ballots are burned. Black smoke signals an inconclusive vote, while white smoke announces to the world that a new Pope has been chosen.