Since February 14, Pope Francis aged 88 has been hospitalized. The Vatican is preparing for the worst. When a pope makes his last breath, a whole protocol must be respected before the appointment of a new sovereign pontiff.
Apart from, Benoît XVI who had “resigned” from his duties in 2013, the other popes reigned until their death. While Pope Francis is hospitalized, the Vatican is preparing for the worst in the event of death. A protocol is set up and nine days of mourning must be respected, before seeing the white smoke meaning the arrival of a new Saint-Father.
Nine days of mourning
When the pope makes his last breath, Cardinal Camerlingue must go to the bedside of Ce-Dernier. On three occasions, he must call him by his first name by birth. Unanswered on his part, death is formalized And the protocol can be set up. The Vatican then organizes Nine days of mourning. During this period, the Church is part of what they call “Vacant”, in Latin. Which means “vacant seat” in French. As this term indicates, this is the period during which there is no more pope. Power is then relegated to the Cardinals College. Their mission is to deal with current affairs before the arrival of a new pope. The funerals take place between the fourth and the sixth day after his death. They take place in the Saint-Pierre basilica.
After his official death, the body of the sovereign pontiff must be blessed before being exposed in the Saint-Pierre basilica. The faithful around the world can come to pay a last tribute to the deceased pope. Subsequently, takes place the conclave. Cardinals under the age of 80 gather eight enclosed to vote for the election of a new pope. The ballot is secret and nothing should and can leak. It is a long and secret election. On average, 120 men from Church are found in the Sistine Chapel. In order for the new Pope to be elected, it takes a minimum of two-thirds of the votes.
“We have a pope”
When White smoke arises from the Vaticana new pope is elected. On the balcony of the Saint-Pierre basilica, the Cardinal Protodiacre pronounces “Habemus papam”, which means “we have a pope”. Now, it’s official, a new Saint-Fère is elected to reign until his death. For Pope Francis, several sources say, the Holy See would have asked the cardinals to be ready for a potential announcement of his death. Being hospitalized for pneumonia, the Vatican is preparing for the worst.
