… Vatican launches mourning rites, prepares conclave

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and its first Latin American and Jesuit leader, died peacefully at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. He was 88.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, formally announced Francis’s death. “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” he said. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”

The pontiff had spent 38 days at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic after being admitted on 14 February with bronchitis that developed into bilateral pneumonia. Although discharged to continue recovery at Casa Santa Marta, his long-standing respiratory fragility, stemming from a 1957 lung surgery in Argentina, along with early-stage kidney issues, ultimately overcame him. He made one final public appearance on Easter Sunday, blessing pilgrims in St Peter’s Square from a wheelchair.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Francis was the eldest of five children. His early life was marked by simplicity, work, and faith. After completing a diploma in chemistry, he briefly worked in a food science laboratory before he discerned a religious vocation. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1958 and went on to study philosophy and theology in Argentina and Chile, later completing studies in Germany. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and quickly rose through the Jesuit ranks, becoming provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina in 1973 during the tumultuous years of military dictatorship.

Francis’s leadership was shaped by both controversy and courage as he sought to shield the persecuted, often at great personal risk. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998, he became known for his humility and advocacy for the poor, shunning privilege and travelling by public transport. Created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001, Bergoglio remained a strong voice for social justice and simplicity.

Upon his election as pope on 13 March 2013, Bergoglio chose the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, signalling a papacy of humility, peace, and concern for creation. He broke with centuries of tradition by refusing to move into the Apostolic Palace, opting instead for modest quarters at Casa Santa Marta. His decision to carry his own luggage, make personal phone calls to people in distress, and celebrate Holy Thursday Masses among prisoners and refugees symbolised a new pastoral style.

Following his death, centuries-old Vatican traditions were set into motion. The official duties after a pope’s death are entrusted to the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who, with a doctor, officially confirmed Francis’s death and issued a death certificate. No autopsy was performed. On Easter Monday evening, his body was placed in a coffin in the chapel at Casa Santa Marta, presided over by Farrell, who also sealed Francis’s personal residence and took custody of the Fisherman’s Ring and lead seal, both of which will be ceremonially destroyed to prevent misuse.

In accordance with Francis’s own reforms of 2024, the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis was implemented, emphasising the pope’s identity as “pastor and disciple of Christ” rather than sovereign ruler. His body, dressed in red vestments with a mitre and pallium, rests in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc. Inside are coins minted during his reign and a one-page rogito—a biographical summary of his life.

Francis requested not to be displayed on the traditional raised bier (catafalque) in St Peter’s Basilica. Instead, mourners will view his coffin directly, without pomp. His funeral is expected to occur between four and six days after his death, celebrated in St Peter’s Square and presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

The late pontiff’s body will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica for public veneration, with the Paschal candle burning beside it, and burial will follow at the Basilica of St Mary Major, beside the beloved icon Salus Populi Romani. In another break with centuries of tradition, he rejected burial in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica and the use of the three traditional nesting coffins.

The nine-day mourning period, known as novemdiales, is already under way. During this time, the day-to-day running of the Church passes to the College of Cardinals, who exercise limited powers until a new pope is elected.

Pope Francis’s death has triggered preparations for a conclave to elect his successor. Traditionally, the mourning period must pass before the election begins, but rules permit the cardinals to expedite proceedings. The conclave is expected to begin between 15 and 20 days after his death, within the Sistine Chapel under strict secrecy. Only cardinals under 80 years of age are eligible to vote: of the current 252 cardinals, 135 hold voting rights.

The cardinals will govern the Church in the interim, but their powers are limited; much of the Vatican’s central administration is paused, and most department heads submit their resignations pending confirmation or replacement by the next pope.

While in theory any baptised Roman Catholic man could be elected pope, tradition overwhelmingly favours a cardinal. History suggests a European, particularly an Italian, might be favoured, but Francis’s own appointments, many drawn from Asia, Africa, and Latin America have broadened the field. His successor could well reflect the global face of the Church, whose 1.4 billion members increasingly reside in the southern hemisphere.

Francis’s legacy will be remembered for its groundbreaking openness to other religions. He visited synagogues, mosques, Buddhist temples, and Hindu shrines; he forged warm relations with Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, and Evangelical Christians; and made historic steps toward Muslim-Christian dialogue, notably signing the Document on Human Fraternity with Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb and meeting Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq.

His teachings shifted the Catholic Church toward greater mercy and pastoral care. He opened conversation about sensitive issues like homosexuality, famously saying, “Who am I to judge?” and showed profound compassion toward divorced and remarried Catholics. His encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti articulated a vision for environmental justice and global fraternity, urging humanity to move beyond selfishness, nationalism, and indifference.

As the world mourns a pope of simplicity, compassion, and dialogue, the Church now prepares to chart its future. Yet, whether Catholic or non-Catholic, few can deny that Pope Francis left an indelible mark not only on his Church but also on the moral conscience of the modern world.

What Next After the Death of Pope Francis?

The death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, after a twelve-year pontificate, has plunged the Catholic world into mourning and activated the Vatican’s intricate, centuries-old procedures for the passing of a pontiff. His death, which occurred on Easter Monday, has not only signalled the end of a transformative era for the Church, but has also set into motion the ecclesiastical and political processes that will eventually lead to the election of his successor.

Immediate Protocols and Rites

In accordance with tradition, the first official to respond to a papal death is the camerlengo or chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, a role presently held by Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell. It is his responsibility to officially confirm the Pope’s death with the help of a medical professional and a death certificate. As is customary, no autopsy will be conducted on the Pope.

Shortly after announcing Pope Francis’s passing, the Vatican declared that his body would be placed in a coffin at 20:00 local time (18:00 GMT) in the private chapel at his residence in the Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse, where he had chosen to live, instead of the more opulent Apostolic Palace. Cardinal Farrell presided over the initial rites and oversaw the ceremonial sealing of the late Pope’s private quarters. He is also tasked with destroying the papal ring and lead seal, emblems used to authenticate documents during the Pope’s reign, ensuring they are never misused.

Alongside three assisting cardinals, Farrell will also determine the full mourning schedule. This includes setting the date for the funeral, coordinating the nine-day period of novemdiales mourning, and organising the public viewing of the Pope’s body. The Church mandates that these mourning rites begin between the fourth and sixth day after death. The team is also charged with overseeing the transfer of the Pope’s body to St Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their final respects. Although the Vatican hinted this may happen as early as Wednesday, the final decision rests with the cardinals.

The Funeral of Pope Francis

True to the simplicity that characterised his pontificate, Pope Francis requested a departure from many of the grandiose traditions associated with papal funerals. Unlike his predecessors, his body will not be displayed on the traditional raised catafalque in the centre of St Peter’s Basilica. Instead, mourners will view his remains laid inside an open coffin, reflecting the humility he so often preached.

His funeral Mass, expected to occur within four to six days of his death, will be held in St Peter’s Square. Despite the grandeur historically associated with papal funerals, Francis had issued instructions last year to simplify his own. Notably, he rejected burial in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica—a resting place for popes since antiquity—and opted instead for Rome’s Basilica of St Mary Major. This church, home to his beloved icon of the Madonna, held deep spiritual significance for him throughout his life. He also specified that he be interred in a plain wooden coffin, shunning the traditional triple-nesting of cypress, lead, and oak coffins used for many of his predecessors.

The Road to a New Pope

With Pope Francis’s death, the Catholic Church now enters a period of transition that will culminate in the election of a new Pope. While the traditional practice is to wait for the full nine-day mourning period before beginning the conclave, Pope Benedict XVI had, during his papacy, introduced provisions that allow the College of Cardinals to begin the process earlier if they so choose.

The conclave, the highly secretive and sacred electoral assembly will likely begin between 15 and 20 days after Francis’s passing. During this time, cardinals from across the globe will converge on Vatican City. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote; currently, 135 of the 252 cardinals meet this criterion. The conclave is held within the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals are secluded from the outside world until they successfully elect the next Bishop of Rome. The man they choose will become the 267th pope in the unbroken line of succession believed by Catholics to trace back to Saint Peter.

Until a new pontiff is elected, the College of Cardinals will oversee the day-to-day administration of the Church, though their powers are significantly limited. Heads of Vatican departments typically resign at the death of a Pope, awaiting either reconfirmation or replacement by the new pontiff.

Who Might Be Chosen?

While technically any baptised Roman Catholic male is eligible to be elected Pope, in practice, the cardinals almost always choose one of their own. When Francis was elected in 2013, he made history as the first Pope from South America, a region that today accounts for approximately 28% of the world’s Catholic population. He was also the first Pope from the southern hemisphere and the first Jesuit to assume the role.

Nevertheless, the College of Cardinals has traditionally favoured Europeans and in particular Italians with 217 of the 266 previous Popes hailing from Italy. However, many Vatican analysts believe the next Pope could once again come from outside Europe. This is in part due to Francis’s own reshaping of the College: during his pontificate, he appointed over 140 cardinals, most of them from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The next conclave, therefore, reflects a far more global Church than ever before, and the cardinals may be inspired to choose a Pope whose origins mirror the increasingly diverse Catholic population.

The Role of the Pope

The Pope holds supreme authority over the Roman Catholic Church, which claims more than 1.4 billion adherents, approximately half of all Christians worldwide. Catholics believe the Pope to be the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle chosen by Christ to lead his followers. As such, the Pope is regarded as Christ’s vicar on Earth and the spiritual shepherd of the universal Church.

While Catholics find guidance in scripture, they also turn to the Pope’s teachings, which shape doctrine, influence liturgy, and direct the Church’s global social and moral priorities. The Pope does not draw a salary; rather, his needs are fully supported by the Vatican, including all travel and accommodation expenses. He resides in Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world, completely encircled by the city of Rome.

As the Church awaits its next leader, the world watches a time honoured process unfold in solemn reverence, continuity, and faith, marking not only the end of a papacy, but the beginning of a new chapter in Catholic history.