When a pope passes away, a centuries-old system of rituals and responsibilities—both solemn and symbolic—guides the transition of power at the Vatican. Known as the interregnum, this period between the end of one papacy and the election of a new pope is steeped in tradition, with key roles and rites clearly defined.
During this time, called the sede vacante—Latin for “the seat being vacant”—the camerlengo assumes temporary authority over the administration and finances of the Holy See. That position is currently held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
The camerlengo’s first duty is to confirm the pope’s death. Historically, this involved a solemn and symbolic ritual: tapping the deceased pope’s head three times with a silver hammer while calling out his baptismal name. If there was no response, death was formally declared. While this ancient practice has been retired, some elements remain. For example, the camerlengo will still call out Pope Francis’s baptismal name—Jorge Mario Bergoglio—three times before issuing the death certificate.
In modern times, medical confirmation such as an ECG is used to certify death, as was the case when Pope John Paul II died in 2005. The announcement is then made public, likely through the Vatican Press Office, as it was when Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away in 2022. Church bells will toll in St Peter’s Square to mark the occasion.
Following the official declaration, the camerlengo seals the papal apartments and documents with red ribbon and renders the pope’s Fisherman’s Ring unusable. Traditionally smashed with a hammer, the ring is now scored with a file, preventing its use in forging papal documents.
Two key texts guide the process that follows: Universi Dominici Gregis, the 30-page constitution on papal succession, and Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the extensive missal outlining funeral rites, music, and prayers. These specify that the burial of a pope should occur between four to six days after death, during a nine-day mourning period known as the novendiale.
The dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will oversee preparations for the funeral Mass and the eventual conclave. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the secret ballot held in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next pope, typically held 15–20 days after the pontiff’s death.
While tradition has long held that a pope's embalmed body be displayed on an elevated bier in St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis has chosen a simpler path. He revised funeral rites to reflect his humble approach to leadership, opting out of public viewings in favor of a single vigil. He has also chosen a single zinc-lined wooden coffin instead of the traditional three-casket burial.
As Vatican expert Perlich noted, “There’s a sorrow that falls on the city that’s palpable.” But amid the grief, centuries of tradition ensure a structured and sacred farewell—both timeless and newly adapted for the modern era.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)