Sarah Mitchell
The death of a pope is a significant event for Catholics, marking the end of a leader's reign and triggering a period of mourning and reflection. Pope Francis's death on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from Catholics and world leaders alike. The pope's funeral and burial rituals are steeped in tradition, with specific protocols followed by the Vatican to honour the pontiff's passing. The cameralengo, a high-ranking Vatican official, confirms the pope's death, and the College of Cardinals assumes temporary leadership of the Church. The election of a new pope, known as a conclave, is a highly secretive process that occurs two to three weeks after the funeral, with eligible cardinals voting in the Sistine Chapel. The death and succession of a pope are solemn and symbolic transitions for the Catholic Church, reflecting its deep-rooted traditions and continuity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pope's death | Pope Francis died on 21 April 2025 (Easter Monday) at 07:35 at the age of 88 |
| Pope's health | Pope Francis had health issues, including lung damage, knee problems, and a respiratory infection |
| Pope's legacy | Pope Francis was a reformer who inspired progressives by reaching out to gay people and championing the rights of immigrants and the poor |
| Pope's funeral | Pope Francis requested a simplified funeral without ancient rites and rituals |
| Pope's burial | Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St Mary Major, unlike most popes who are interred in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter's Basilica |
| Mourning period | There is a nine-day mourning period, known as the Novendiale, during which multiple Masses are held in honour of the late pope |
| Election of a new pope | The College of Cardinals chooses the new pope during a highly secretive election called a conclave, which is held two to three weeks after the pope's funeral |
| Pope's impact | World leaders, including King Charles III and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offered condolences and praised Pope Francis for his work |
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What You'll Learn
Pope Francis' death and funeral
Pope Francis, the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years, died on 21 April 2025, at the age of 88. His death was caused by a stroke followed by irreversible cardiac arrest. He had been hospitalized a month earlier due to a respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia.
Funeral and Burial
In line with his preference for simplicity, Pope Francis requested a stripped-down funeral and burial. He opted for a basic wooden coffin lined with zinc, ending the tradition of popes being buried in three coffins—one of cypress, one of zinc, and one of elm. His coffin was sealed during a liturgical rite an hour after the lying in state ended. The funeral was held in St. Peter's Square, with thousands of mourners in attendance, including world leaders and dignitaries. Choirs sang Latin hymns, and prayers were recited in various languages, including Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic.
Rites and Rituals
Pope Francis's body lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing. The funeral rites were simplified, with the Pope lying in an open coffin without the pomp and pageantry of previous papal funerals. The Mass of Requiem was celebrated on 26 April, five days after his death.
Mourning and Succession
The Pope's death triggered a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale, which originated in Ancient Rome. During this time, the College of Cardinals assumed temporary leadership of the Church, and no major decisions or changes were made. Two to three weeks after the funeral, the conclave, a highly secretive election process, was held to choose a new pope. The newly elected pope, Pope Leo XIV, took his papal name and stepped out onto the balcony to give his first address to the public.
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The election of a new pope
The death of a pope marks a solemn yet highly organised transition in the Catholic Church. The camerlengo, a high-ranking Vatican official, is responsible for confirming the pope's death. Once confirmed, the Vatican publicly announces the death, and the world enters a period of mourning. The pope's body is then dressed in papal vestments and placed in St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing.
The College of Cardinals, a governing body of senior church officials, assumes temporary leadership of the Church during this period. No major decisions or changes are made until a new pope is elected. The process of selecting a new pope is known as the conclave, an ancient and highly secretive electoral process. Two to three weeks after the funeral, eligible cardinals (those under 80 years old) gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote. The election follows these steps: the chapel is sealed off, ballots are burned, and black or white smoke signals the world whether a new pope has been chosen. Any male baptised in the Roman Catholic Church is eligible for the papacy, but for the past 700 years, the pope has always been chosen from the College of Cardinals.
The newly elected pope, having chosen a papal name and donned a white cassock, steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to give his first address to the public. With that, the Catholic world has a new leader.
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The role of the camerlengo
The camerlengo, a high-ranking Vatican official, is responsible for confirming the pope's death. The camerlengo then destroys the papal signet ring, an official symbol of the pope's authority, preventing its future use. Once the camerlengo confirms the death, the Vatican publicly announces it, and the world begins a mourning period.
During the Avignon papacy (1309-1377), the camerlengo was made one of the closest papal advisers, and the position continued to grow in prominence. In the 15th century, the camerlengo was endowed with the cardinalate, and since then, only cardinals have been permitted to hold this position. A 1621 bull of Pope Gregory XV defined the position's tasks as chief treasurer of the pope.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, the role of the camerlengo expanded to include various judicial functions, such as tax matters and certain criminal and civil cases. However, in the 19th century, the powers and functions of the camerlengo were diminished due to political and cultural upheaval in Europe and the loss of the Papal States.
Today, the camerlengo is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Holy See during the sede vacante, the period between the death of a pope and the election of a successor. The camerlengo also participates in the preparations for the conclave and the pope's funeral.
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The mourning period
The death of a pope marks a solemn transition for the Catholic Church, with a period of mourning observed before the election of a new pope. This period is steeped in tradition and draws global attention.
The camerlengo, a high-ranking Vatican official, is responsible for confirming the pope's death. The camerlengo then destroys the papal signet ring, an official symbol of the pope's authority, and seals the papal apartments and offices. The camerlengo then notifies senior church officials, known as the College of Cardinals, and the people of Rome. Once the death is officially declared, the Vatican publicly announces the news, and the world enters a period of mourning.
The funeral is typically held four to six days after the pope's death, in St. Peter's Square, with thousands of mourners in attendance. The burial follows the funeral, and most popes are interred in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter's Basilica. However, Pope Francis, for example, requested to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
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The pope's legacy
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on 21 April 2025, at the age of 88. He was the first non-European pope in over 1300 years and is remembered for his humility and commitment to social justice. Pope Francis's legacy is a complex one, marked by both traditionalism and reform.
During his papacy, Pope Francis focused on modernizing the Church while upholding its core traditions. He emphasized environmental stewardship and consistently advocated for peace, notably praying for Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He championed the rights of immigrants, the poor, and marginalized communities, and promoted acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, marking a significant departure from the stance of previous Church figureheads.
Pope Francis also made his disability part of his identity, using a wheelchair since 2022 due to recurring mobility issues. He was open about his health struggles, including chronic lung damage, a respiratory infection, and bouts of influenza and bronchitis. Despite these challenges, he remained dedicated to his role, dismissing rumours of resignation in 2022.
The Pope's commitment to serving others and living a simple yet meaningful life was highlighted by the Dalai Lama, who offered prayers and condolences upon his passing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also shared his grief, noting Pope Francis's ability to give hope and ease suffering through prayer.
The legacy of Pope Francis is one of compassion, dialogue, and reform, leaving an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The death of a pope marks a solemn yet highly organized transition in the Catholic Church. The camerlengo, a high-ranking Vatican official, is responsible for confirming the pope’s death. Once confirmed, the Vatican publicly announces the death, and the world enters a mourning period. The pope’s body is prepared and dressed in papal vestments, and placed in St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. The funeral is held in St. Peter’s Square, and the pope is buried. A new pope is then elected in a highly secretive process called a conclave.
The Vatican enters into a nine-day mourning period, during which multiple Masses are held in honour of the late pope. The pope’s body lies in state, allowing the public to pay their respects.
The College of Cardinals chooses the pope during the conclave. Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. Around 120 cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret for their chosen candidate. The election follows these steps: The chapel is sealed off, ensuring secrecy. The names of the candidates are written down on ballots and placed in a chalice on the altar. A candidate must receive two-thirds of the vote to become the pope. If the two-thirds majority is not received, another round of voting is held. There can be up to four rounds each day.
