WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE POPE DIES?

***WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE POPE DIES?***

Day 1 – Death of the Pope
* The Camerlengo (chamberlain of the
Holy Roman Church) officially verifies
the pope’s death.
* The Pope’s Fisherman’s Ring and seal
are destroyed to prevent forgery.
* The See of Peter (Sede Vacante)
officially begins—no pope, so no one
leads the Church

Days 1–9 – Mourning and Funeral Rites
* The pope’s body lies in state in St.
Peter’s Basilica.
* A funeral Mass is held 4–6 days after
death.
* Novemdiales: Nine days of mourning
with special Masses and prayers are
held.

Days 1–15 (or up to 20) – Preparation for the Conclave
* Cardinals under age 80 (usually around
120) are summoned to Rome.
* Daily General Congregations of
cardinals are held to manage Church
affairs and prepare for the conclave.
* The Sistine Chapel is prepared: cleaned,
sealed off, and secured to ensure
secrecy.
* Cardinals are housed in the Domus
Sanctae Marthae (St. Martha House), a
Vatican residence.

Day 15–20 – Conclave Begins
* The conclave starts no sooner than 15
days after the pope’s death, no later
then 20, unless shortened by papal
decree or all cardinals are present.
* Cardinals process into the Sistine
Chapel and take an oath of secrecy.
* The doors are locked: extra omnes
(“everyone out”) is declared, and the
voting begins.

VOTING PROCESS
* Up to 4 ballots per day (2 in the morning,
2 in the afternoon).
* A 2/3 majority is needed to elect a new
pope.
* Ballots are burned after each voting
round—black smoke means no pope,
white smoke means one has been
elected.

ONCE A POPE IS ELECTED
* He is asked: “Do you accept your
canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
* If he accepts, he chooses a papal name.
* The new pope dresses in white and
appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s.
* The announcement is made: “Habemus
Papam!” (“We have a Pope!”)