Vatican in Mourning: Process for selecting a new Pope begins

The Vatican is in mourning following the death of Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

As per longstanding tradition, the selection of a new pope will begin immediately following his death and continue throughout the funeral proceedings, reports AFP.

Pope Francis was not only the highest religious authority for Catholics worldwide, but also the head of state for the Vatican. His passing marks the start of an important and solemn process for the Church.

According to Catholic tradition, the Church observes a nine-day mourning period after the pope’s death. Typically, the pope is laid to rest between the fourth and sixth day following his passing.

The funeral is conducted by the Cardinal Camerlengo, the Vatican’s treasurer, who also plays a pivotal role in organizing the conclave—a gathering of cardinals tasked with electing the next pope. It is during this time that the Vatican enters a period known as 'sede vacante', Latin for "the seat is vacant." During 'sede vacante', the College of Cardinals takes on the responsibility of overseeing the Church’s day-to-day administration and preparing for the conclave. The Cardinal Camerlengo oversees these duties until a new pope is chosen.

The conclave, which is held in strict secrecy, involves cardinals from around the world. They must arrive in Vatican City within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death to pay their respects and begin the voting process. During this period, the cardinals reside in designated areas within the Vatican, holding meetings and conducting votes to elect the new pontiff.

Approximately 120 cardinals participate in the conclave, though there are around 195 cardinals in total. Cardinals over the age of 80 are not eligible to vote. A two-thirds majority is required for a cardinal to be elected pope. Voting continues until a candidate secures this majority, with discussions and prayers taking place between rounds of voting if no agreement is reached.

If no candidate receives the necessary votes, the ballots are burned in a special furnace, creating black smoke to signal that the election is still in progress. Once a new pope is elected, the results are announced to the gathered crowd in St. Peter's Square. A senior cardinal then steps forward to announce the new pope's name, and the newly elected pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

The pope, now in papal robes, will wear the iconic Fisherman’s Ring and take an oath of office before delivering his first address to the faithful.