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 papal funeral and the subsequent nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales. The funeral, scheduled for late April, will be followed by the conclave to elect the new pope. Key procedures during the interregnum include the transfer of the Pope's body to St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing and the suspension of beatification celebrations.
12 days ago
With the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Catholic Church has entered sede vacante, the vacancy of the Apostolic See 1 2. During this period, the College of Cardinals assumes temporary governing responsibilities for the Church 1 2. The sede vacante begins immediately upon the Pope's death 3 7.
The Novendiales is a nine-day period of mourning, rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, dedicated to Masses for the repose of the Pope's soul 3 7. The Novendiales begins on the day of the Pope's funeral and continues for nine consecutive days 3 7. Each day, a cardinal chosen by the late Pope presides over a requiem Mass in St. Peter's Basilica 3 7. The liturgical color for these Masses is red 3 7.
Throughout the Novendiales, the College of Cardinals gathers daily for general congregations 3 7. Cardinals under the age of 80, eligible to vote in the conclave, are required to travel to Rome 3 7. The first general congregation focuses on funeral arrangements and setting a date for the conclave 3 7. Later congregations address the broader state of the Church and issues facing the Roman Curia 3 7. The cardinals also took an oath to follow the norms of the interregnum 4 8.
The Papal funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Rome time, in St. Peter's Square 3 4 5 7 8. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral Mass 1 3. Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, according to his wishes 3 4 7 8. The funeral follows the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Vatican's official liturgical text for papal funerals 3 7.
The conclave is expected to begin between May 5 and May 10 1 2. Universi dominici gregis indicates that the conclave begins at least 15 days after the death of the pope 1 2. The date can be moved forward if all cardinal electors are present or deferred for grave reasons 1 2. Electors vote four times a day, needing a two-thirds majority to elect a Pope 1 2.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, plays a key role during the sede vacante 1 5. The Camerlengo certifies the death of the Pope and manages the ordinary affairs of the Holy See 6. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presides over the funeral Mass 3.
The cardinals take an oath to maintain rigorous secrecy around the election of the next Pope 4 5 8. This oath is detailed in Pope John Paul II's 1996 apostolic constitution, Universi Dominici Gregis 4 8.
The Church defines papal transition authority through a set of norms and procedures that govern the period when the Apostolic See is vacant, known as the sede vacante. Key aspects of this transition include the powers and limitations of the College of Cardinals, the role of the Camerlengo, and the functioning of the Roman Curia.
During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the government of the Church is entrusted to the College of Cardinals . However, the College of Cardinals does not have full power or jurisdiction . Their authority is limited to matters necessary for the ordinary operation of the Church and the preparation for the election of a new Pope .
The College of Cardinals is divided into two types of congregations:
The Cardinal Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church has specific duties during the sede vacante . These include overseeing and administering the temporal goods and rights of the Apostolic See .
The Camerlengo, upon being informed of the Pope's death, must:
The Camerlengo is assisted by the heads of the three cardinalitial orders . Should the office of Camerlengo be vacant, the Subdean of the College of Cardinals assumes his functions .
During the sede vacante, the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia continue to function, but with limitations . All heads of curial institutions and members cease from their office when the Apostolic See is vacant . They cannot make decisions on matters that would normally be decided by the Pope . These matters are reserved for the future Pope . The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff is responsible for the celebrations during the Consistory .
Secrecy is paramount during the papal transition and election . Cardinal electors are forbidden from revealing any information related to the election . They are bound by oath to maintain secrecy . Before the beginning of the election, individuals involved in the process must swear an oath to maintain absolute secrecy . To ensure secrecy, Cardinal electors must hand over any documents related to the election .
In summary, the Church defines papal transition authority through specific regulations outlined in documents such as Universi Dominici Gregis and Praedicate Evangelium . These regulations detail the roles and responsibilities of the College of Cardinals, the Camerlengo, and the Roman Curia, all while emphasizing the importance of secrecy during the sede vacante.