Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has entered a period of mourning and transition. The College of Cardinals has begun preparations, including deciding on the funeral arrangements and the date for the conclave. The funeral Mass is scheduled for April 26 in St. Peter's Square, followed by a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiales. During this time, the cardinals will also address the election of the new pope, adhering to interregnum protocols and maintaining secrecy. The process includes public viewing of the Pope's body and various liturgical celebrations.
20 days ago
With the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church has entered the period of sede vacante, the vacancy of the Apostolic See 1 2. The College of Cardinals has assumed temporary governing responsibilities for the Church and has begun preparations to elect a new Pope 1 2. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, oversaw the sealing of the papal apartments in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and the Pope’s suite of rooms in the Santa Marta guesthouse 10. Bells tolled across Rome and beyond, marking the passing of the pontiff 10.
Pope Francis's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 am Rome time, in St. Peter's Square 3 4. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral Mass 1 3. The funeral will follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Vatican’s official liturgical text for papal funerals, updated in 2024 at Pope Francis’s request 3 7.
The Pope's body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing from Wednesday, April 23, until the funeral 1 3. Following the funeral, the Pope's coffin will be taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, his chosen burial site 1 3. The funeral Mass marks the beginning of the Novendiales, nine days of mourning for the death of the Pope 1 3. Each day, a cardinal chosen by the late Pope will preside over a requiem Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica 3 7.
The College of Cardinals is holding daily general congregations to discuss the Church's next steps 3 7. Cardinals under the age of 80 are required to travel to Rome to participate in the election of the next Pope 3 7. The first general congregation took place on April 22, focusing on funeral arrangements and setting a date for the conclave 1 3 4. During the first general congregation, the cardinals suspended upcoming beatification celebrations 4 5. They also took an oath to follow the norms of the interregnum, including maintaining "rigorous secrecy" around the election 4. Cardinal Kevin Farrell read Pope Francis’s will 4 5.
The conclave is expected to begin at least 15 days after the Pope's death, around May 5, but the date can be adjusted depending on the arrival of all cardinal electors 1 2. Universi Dominici Gregis indicates that the conclave begins at least 15 days after the death of the pope 1 2. All cardinals are expected to participate in the conclave unless a serious impediment prevents them 4. Cardinals over the age of 80 are ineligible to vote 4. Of the 252 Catholic cardinals, 135 have voting privileges in the conclave 4. The cardinal electors will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope 6.
Several key terms are important to understand during this period. Sede vacante refers to the vacancy of the Apostolic See 6. The camerlengo is the chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, responsible for organizing the process during the interregnum 6. Cardinal electors are those cardinals under the age of 80 who are eligible to vote in the papal election 6. The College of Cardinals is the collective body of cardinals 6. The conclave is the assembly of cardinal electors who gather to elect a pope 6. The Novendiales are the nine days of official mourning following the death of the Pope 6.
The theological implications of sede vacante, the period when the Apostolic See is vacant, touch on governance, authority, and the continuity of the Church. Here's a breakdown of these implications:
In summary, the theological implications of sede vacante involve a temporary adjustment in Church governance, with specific limitations on the College of Cardinals to ensure the Church's operations continue without fundamental changes until a new Pope is elected.