When a pope dies, the Vatican follows a solemn yet meticulous protocol.
Each pontiff may request some changes to their funeral and burial, as Pope Francis did, however centuries-old traditions are largely followed.
Pope Francis was in hospital for a little over five weeks. Upon his discharge on 23 March, he returned to his Vatican apartment, Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Although on a “reduced work schedule’ he did meet some foreign leaders and even made a few brief public appearances – his last one on Easter Sunday when he blessed the crowds in St Peter’s Square from a Vatican balcony.
On Sunday might Pope Francis was in his private apartment and chapel. It is believed senior high-ranking Vatican officials visited him there including the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, the Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
It was Cardinal Farrell’s role to confirm the pope’s death.
Historically, this involves calling out the pontiff’s name three times, although medical professionals today verify the death through standard procedures.
Cardinal Farrell announced to those around the deathbed that the pope had passed away – “Vere, Franciscus mortus est” or truly, Francis is dead.
The Cardinal then destroyed the papal signet ring, an official symbol of the pope’s authority, and the seal for official papal documents, so preventing its future use.
Pope Francis was dressed in a white cassock.
Cardinal Farrell then informed the College of Cardinals, that Pope Francis, 88, elected the 266th occupant of the throne of St Peter in 2013, had died.
At 9.45AM (Rome time), Cardinal Farrell announced to the world Pope Francis had returned to the house of the Father at 7.35AM that morning, Easter Monday.
Although Pope Francis had battled pneumonia and infections he suffered a stroke resulting in a coma and subsequent irreversible heart failure.
The rite of certification of death and its placement in the coffin in the chapel of the Pope’s residence took place on Monday evening at 8.00PM (Rome time). During this rite, the declaration of death was read aloud by Cardinal Farrell. This ceremony lasted just under an hour. Later that night some of the late Pope’s closest collaborators began to pay their respects.
Cardinal Farrell oversaw the sealing of the two-room apartment. Despite being within a secure location, this is to prevent any unwanted visitors or theft. The door was locked, red ribbon was threaded through the handles and sealed with hot wax which would break if the door was tampered with.
The death of Pope Francis triggered nine days of mourning known as the Novendiale.
The first General Congregation of Cardinals is expected to take place Tuesday (Rome time) during which a date will be set for the funeral, normally four to six days after death.
Cardinal Farrell will also decide when the Pope’s body will be moved into St Peter’s Basilica before burial so that the public can pay their respects.
The funeral in St Peter’s Square will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and will be attended by clergy and world leaders
along with thousands of mourners, many of whom will be in Rome of the Holy Jubilee Year of Hope.
Traditionally, popes have been buried in three nested coffins – one of cypress, one of zinc, and one of elm. However, Francis had decided on a simpler wooden and zinc coffin. Inside the coffin will be a rogito, a document summarising his life and papacy.
Most of the popes are interred in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis explicitly expressed his wish to be buried at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. He wanted a simple tomb in the niche of a side nave with the inscription “Franciscus”.
“I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary where I went for prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thank Her for her docile and maternal care,” he wrote in his will.
With the pope’s passing the Vatican enters a period known as sede vacante, meaning “the seat is vacant”.
During this time the College of Cardinals assumes temporary leadership of the Church and no major decisions or changes are made until a new pope is elected.
The Carmerlengo, Cardinal Farrell will organise the election process of a new pope following the funeral. This is called the Papal Conclave and is made up of 135 cardinals aged under 80 who will choose the new head of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.