Pope Francis has died - what will happen next?

 

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88.

This occurred just a day after he was publicly present in Vatican City, and a few weeks after reports of the Catholic Church leader's ill health.

A period of mourning will begin following the Pope's death, after which all cardinals under the age of 80 will gather to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Here are answers to some questions regarding the conference and the process of selecting the new pope.

What is a papal conference?

This Latin word comes from 'clavis', which means 'key'.

This is the assembly of cardinals that elects the new pope and follows a strict arrangement of solitude.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote, although they can participate in the conclave.

Currently, there are 252 cardinals, of which 138 are cardinal electors.

The most recent papal conclave took place in 2013 when Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was chosen as Pope Francis as the successor to retired Pope Benedict XVI.

What happens when the Pope dies?

Once the death is confirmed by Cardinal Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is the representative of the Sacred College of Cardinals, arrangements are made to break .

The Pope's ring, known as the Fisherman's Ring, and the Pope's seal. 

This symbolizes the end of Pope Francis's authority. The mourning period lasts for nine days, and the date of the funeral and burial is determined by the Cardinal.

How much time was there from the pope's death to the start of the conclave?

It generally takes 15 to 20 days.

After arriving in Rome, the cardinals live together under strict security, eat, and meet.They reside in buildings like hotels made for priests in the Vatican.

During the assembly, the area of the papal conference is completely closed off.

Only cardinals and a few others are allowed entry, whose roles are specific.

Cardinals are prohibited from using any phones or personal computers.

How is the decision made for the election of the new pope?

Cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and cast their votes secretly until a candidate is elected. 

To choose the new pope, a two-thirds majority is needed. On the first day of the conclave, there’s one voting session, and afterwards, there are four votes each day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. 

Right after counting, the ballots and all related notes are burned in a stove in the chapel. The crowd in St. 

Peter's Square knows whether the results have been confirmed by the color of the smoke coming out of the chimney. 

If no one gets the required majority, the smoke is black. 

A successful candidate is indicated by white smoke. Chemicals are used to determine the color. 

When a new pope is chosen, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica also ring. Pope Francis was chosen on the fifth ballot.

What happens next?

His fellow is asked by the cardinal chosen whether he accepts the position. 

If he accepts, a senior cardinal will appear on a balcony looking towards the square and will say to the crowd, 'Habemus Papam', we have a pope.Immediately after, the new pope appears and blesses the crowd.

The inauguration ceremony usually takes place a few days later.