The passing of a pope is not only a moment of profound grief but also the beginning of a meticulously orchestrated transition within the Vatican. With Pope Francis in critical condition, speculation about the process and his successor is intensifying.
Vatican’s Rigorous Protocol for a Pope’s Passing
Pope Francis, aged 88, remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. According to Linternaute, Vatican officials are closely monitoring his health, with medical experts stating that “the next hours will be decisive.”
If the pope passes away, a strict protocol will be followed. The official declaration of his death must come from the Camerlengo, a high-ranking Vatican official. During a symbolic ceremony, the Camerlengo calls the pope’s name three times in his private chapel. If there is no response, he then announces the death to the College of Cardinals, who release an official statement to the public.
A nine-day mourning period, known as Novendiale, will then commence. Pope Francis’ body would be displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica for public homage, but he has previously indicated his wish for a simpler burial in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major rather than the traditional Vatican grottoes.
The Papal Election and Potential Successors
Following the pope’s funeral, a sede vacante period begins, where the Vatican temporarily operates without a leader. A conclave of around 120 cardinals—those under 80 years old—will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. This secretive process, which can take days or weeks, concludes when white smoke rises from the chapel’s chimney, signaling the election of a new pontiff.
The election typically favors senior cardinals, with three potential candidates emerging:
Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, though considered too reserved.
Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, but linked to a specific Catholic movement.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, but seen as too young at 58.
Pope Francis has sought to influence his succession by extending the term of Cardinal Giovanni Battista, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, ensuring he plays a key role in electing the next pope.
As the Vatican awaits further developments, the world watches closely, preparing for a historic transition at the heart of the Catholic Church.
