Hundreds have gathered round St Peter’s Basilica to mourn Pope Francis, who died from a stroke and subsequent coronary heart failure on Easter Monday.
The Catholic church is now coming into its subsequent chapter, with Pope Francis’ successor anticipated to be introduced imminently.
What occurs when a pope dies?
Following the loss of life of a pope, duties are handed over to the cardinal chamberlain, who assumes the place of interim chief of the Catholic Church. On this case, Cardinal Kevin Farrell has taken on this function. He confirmed the loss of life of Pope Francis on April 21. As well as, Cardinal Farrell locked and sealed Pope Francis’ residence, Suite 201 within the Vatican’s Saint Marta guesthouse.
Popes of the previous have resided within the penthouse residence of the Apostolic Palace, however Pope Francis opted for less complicated residing preparations.
Pope Francis’ ring and seal, that are used to authenticate paperwork, have additionally been destroyed by Cardinal Farrell.
What occurs earlier than the funeral?
The casket shall be open for public viewing at St Peter’s Basilica from tomorrow (April 23) till the evening earlier than the funeral. Forward of the funeral, Cardinal Farrell will place a white material over the pope’s face and seal the coffin. Additionally contained in the coffin is a bag of cash and a canister containing a “rogito”. The “rogito” is a deed briefly detailing the pope’s life and papacy. It’s learn aloud earlier than the coffin is sealed.
Not like his predecessors, Pope Francis’ coffin has not been positioned on a raised platform, as he specified he didn’t need his physique to be idolised or positioned on show.
What occurs on the funeral and the place will he be buried?
The funeral has now been confirmed to be happening on Saturday, April 26 at 10am native time (9am within the UK). The service will start with a procession led by a priest carrying a cross. The coffin and ordained clergy will comply with. The coffin shall be moved from Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica, passing by means of Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, and exiting into St Peter’s Sq., coming into the church by means of the central door. Cardinal Farrell is predicted to guide the prayers and the liturgy on the service.
A public mass will happen in entrance of St Peter’s Basilica, with the dean of the School of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presiding over the mass.
The Kremlin confirmed Vladimir Putin is not going to be attending the service.
What occurs after the funeral?
After the funeral service, the pope shall be laid to relaxation. Historically, popes are buried in three nesting coffins; one manufactured from cypress wooden, considered one of lead, and considered one of elm. The coffin is then buried within the Vatican grottoes beneath St Peter’s Basilica.
Nonetheless, Pope Francis has been positioned in a single coffin manufactured from wooden and lined with zinc, with plans to be buried on the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood, as detailed in his will. This can make Pope Francis the primary pope in additional than a century to not be buried within the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica.
Though the church is on Italian soil, it’s nonetheless thought-about to be Vatican territory and is considered one of Rome’s seven main church buildings and a website for pilgrimage for a lot of Catholics. After the burial, 9 days of lots will happen in Catholic church buildings throughout Rome.
Who will turn into the following pope?
Strictly talking, any Roman Catholic man who has been baptised could be thought-about for the place. Nonetheless, cardinals sometimes elect one other cardinal to imagine the place.
Traditionally, cardinals have been way more more likely to choose European candidates, notably Italians. Out of 266 popes chosen thus far, 217 have hailed from Italy. Pope Francis was the primary pope of Latin American nationality, having been born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His mother and father had been Italian immigrants.
Presently within the operating for the seat are Pietro Parolin from Italy, Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, Peter Turkson from Ghana, Péter Erdő from Hungary, Matteo Zuppi from Italy, José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça from Portugal, Mario Grech from Malta, Pierbattista Pizzaballa from Italy, and Robert Sarah from Guinea.
The brand new pope is elected in a vote by the School of Cardinals, which takes place after the burial on the Sistine Chapel. Cardinals have to be below the age of 80 to be eligible to vote. A complete of 135 cardinals shall be eligible to vote for Pope Francis’ successor on this election.
The papal election course of is extremely secret, with cardinals forbidden from chatting with anyone from the skin. Even secretaries, cooks, and medical doctors working contained in the Sistine Chapel should take an oath of secrecy and the premises are swept for wiretaps or recording tools.
Cardinals forged their vote through secret poll. For the vote to achieve success, a two-thirds majority have to be reached. This may make the voting course of extraordinarily prolonged, with the cardinals voting as much as 4 occasions a day. If no determination has been made after 33 rounds, a run-off will happen between the highest two candidates.
The cardinals launch smoke through a chimney to tell onlookers in St Peter’s Sq. of the vote. Black smoke alerts an unsuccessful vote, while white smoke alerts {that a} new pope has been chosen.
As soon as the pope has accepted the function, he’ll select the identify he needs to be referred to as. The most well-liked papal identify is John, adopted by Gregory, Benedict, and Clement.
Pope Francis’s funeral shall be held on Saturday (Danny Lawson/PA)
PA Wire
