Today is March 1st. Pope Francis has been hospitalized since February 14th. We continue to pray that he recovers, and that if that is not possible, that he has a happy death.
It would be in poor taste to start guessing the next pope, that’s perfectly fine to do when a pope is healthy, but not so when a pope is fighting for his life.
But, logistically, what happens when a pope dies?
Confirmation of death
The death is first confirmed by the papal physician.
Next, the Camerlengo, the acting administrator during this interim period, verifies the death. Traditionally, he would do so by tapping the pope on the head with a silver hammer three times while calling out the Holy Father’s baptismal name.
Camerlengo, verifying the death of Pope Pius IX.
Announcing the death of the Holy Father
Once the death is confirmed, the Vatican notifies key figures, the College of Cardinals, heads of dicasteries, and the Vicar General of Rome, who then informs the Diocese of Rome.
The Camerlengo will then seal the papal apartment until the next pope is elected. (I don’t know if this means he will seal the bedroom at Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guesthouse where Pope Francis sleeps) or just the official papal apartment where the pope works, receives guests, and prays the Angelus over Saint Peter’s Square.)
Official word spreads to bishops and world leaders through diplomatic channels and the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.
Only after all this, is the public notified. Do keep in mind the last pope to die in office was in 2005. The iPhone was not out. Facebook wasn’t even open to the public yet and Twitter didn’t exist. I would not be surprised if news is leaked before an official announcement.
The public announcement typically comes via the Vatican Press Office or a statement from the Holy See.
When Pope Benedict XVI died on December 31, 2022, the Vatican did not issue a press release for several hours.
I believe, that it’s not until the official announcement that the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica will toll. Although maybe that happens as the Diocese of Rome finds out?
Nine days of mourning
Starting the day after the pope’s death we enter the novemdiales, or traditional nine days of mourning the death of a pope.
During this period, there will be a series of liturgical ceremonies, including daily Requiem Masses for the repose of the pope’s soul.
The pope’s body is typically laid in state in Saint Peter’s Basilica for public veneration. This was Pope Benedict after he died…
The funeral Mass usually happens within four to six days of the death, and will be presided over by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
After the funeral, the pope is buried. Pope Francis has asked to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, so rather than just walking the coffin into Saint Peter’s Basilica, I imagine this time there will be a procession to Santa Maria Maggiore.
Throughout these nine days of mourning, the College of Cardinals will be arriving in Rome. They will get to know one another and start informal discussions about the upcoming conclave.
The novemdiales ends with a final Mass, marking the close of formal mourning.
The Conclave
The conclave must begin between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death.
Changes made by Pope Francis
Pope Francis has made some changes to the process of the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff.
He has simplified the burial, requesting one zinc-lined coffin rather than the three used by previous popes. Traditionally, popes were buried in three nested coffins: cypress wood (symbolizing humanity), lead (for preservation and engraving), and oak (for durability).
Pope Francis has also requested no catafalque. This is the platform where the Holy Father’s body lies in state. Instead, he wants a simple open coffin placed on the floor of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Think more like this, only with the coffin open…
I’m not sure how this one plays out if the Holy Father dies in a hospital, but Pope Francis wants the death confirmed in his chapel, not his bedroom. Perhaps they transfer him from the hospital and the Camerlengo fulfills his duties here? With the physician confirming the death in the hospital? The body is then immediately placed in the coffin, skipping a prior step of transfer to the Apostolic Palace, or in the case of Pope Benedict, his body was transferred to the chapel of Mater Ecclesiae, where he lived when he retired.
Pope Benedict in Mater Ecclesiae Monastery