21/04/2025
What Happens When A Pope Dies?
1. A few hours after the news of the death of Pope Francis was announced, some persons called to ask certain questions. I tried to summarise their questions under the theme 'What happens when a Pope dies?" However, let me say that this writing doesn't exhaust everything about the issues of the death of a Pope and eventual election of a new one but only speaks of the questions I was asked.
2. When a Pope dies, specific procedures are followed. The process begins with the verification of the Pope's death and announcement by the Camerlengo (the pope’s chief of staff). Following the announcement, nine days of mourning and prayers (known as Novendailes) are declared, within which the burial is fixed. Cardinals decide exactly when the funeral can take place and, after that, when the conclave can begin.
3. The traditional burial of a Pope used to be elaborate, but Pope Francis has recently approved plans for less complex burial. For example, past Popes were buried in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead and oak. But Pope Francis has opted for a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc. However, during the time between the Pope's death and the election of his successor, the College of Cardinals governs the Church.
4. When a Pope dies his ring is destroyed. The ring technically called the Fisherman ring is worn by popes as part of their regalia. Every Pope has his ring that bears their authority. After the death of a Pope, his ring is destroyed by the camerlengo. Among the most important reasons why the ring is destroyed are to ensure that it, as a signet ring, cannot be used in the forging of documents. The ring-cutting also symbolises the ending of the late Pope’s authority and tenure.
5. Another question that may arise is the mentioning of the Pope's name during Eucharistic prayer. In this case the Pope's name, and the entire phrase referring to him, is omitted from the Eucharistic Prayer during the period of the "Sede Vacante". Mention is made only of the local bishop and the clergy. For example, in Eucharistic Prayer II it would be: "Together with ... N., our bishop, and all the clergy."
6. After the burial of a Pope, preparations for the papal conclave commence. For the sake of emphasis, a conclave is the official gathering of cardinals to elect a new Pope. During the conclave, cardinals gather in Rome, take oaths of secrecy, and discuss the qualities needed in the next pope. The conclave, a pivotal moment in the Church, is held in the Sistine Chapel, where voting is done in secret. A two-thirds majority vote is required for a cardinal to be elected Pope. The period for the duration of a conclave is not certain – in other words, a conclave may last for weeks. In fact, there are cases where cardinals died during conclave.
7. Again, for the election of Pope, in theory, any Roman Catholic man who has been baptised can be considered for election to become Pope. Remember the first pope was a fisherman, a layman, when Christ chose him to be the chief of the apostles. That event is illustrated in the papal crest, which shows the Keys of the Kingdom entrusted to Peter (Mt 16:13-18).
8. An example of a layman who was elected Pope was John XIX (1024-1032). Pope Leo X was a deacon but was elected Pope (1513-1521). And in the early centuries, many priests and bishops were elected Popes. When a layman is elected Pope, he must be ordained a deacon, a priest, and then consecrated a bishop. The procedures follow suits when a deacon or a priest is elected Pope – the person must be consecrated as Bishop (Cf. Canon 332 § 1 of the 1983 Code). However, in practice, today only cardinals are eligible to vote and be voted for as Popes. This has certainly been the case for many hundreds of years but was not always so, as I mentioned above.
9. The successful election of a new Pope is signalled by white smoke. Before being announced to the public, the new Pope chooses a papal name, which can be inspired by past Popes or saints. For example, Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but he chose a different name for his papacy in honour of St Francis of Assisi. The election of a new pope marks the beginning of a new era for the Catholic Church.
10. Let's pray for the happy repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace (Amen).
~Fr. Matthew Stephen Kabirat
(April 21, 2025 @ St. Patrick's Parish, Kwangwara, Catholic Diocese of Kontagora)
