Pope Francis Passes Away: What’s Next for the Catholic Church?
Pope Francis, recognized as the first Latin-American pope, passed away on Easter Monday. As mourning rituals commence, it’s important to understand that the announcement for his successor will take some time—typically several weeks.
Mourning and Transition Period
Upon the death of a pope, a mourning period is observed lasting between 15 to 20 days. While the official mourning spans approximately nine days, it begins four to six days after the pope’s death, following the transfer of his body to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewings. The burial rites occur subsequently.
The Conclave to Choose a Successor
After this mourning period, the conclave involving the College of Cardinals will commence to elect a new pope. It’s crucial to note that only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to participate as electors in this process.
Historically, conclaves have varied in duration, stretching from a few days to several months. In recent history, however, they have mostly concluded in under four days. The longest conclave in the 20th century finished with a new pope after just five days of deliberation. The last conclave, which followed Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, caught many by surprise due to its swift outcome.
Pope Benedict XVI’s Resignation: A Precedent
Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation on February 28, 2013, marked a historic moment as he became the first pope to resign voluntarily in nearly 600 years. He cited a “lack of strength of mind and body”due to his advanced age of 86. Despite his resignation being semi-anticipated, it signaled internal strife within the Vatican, as indicated by leaked documents suggesting a power struggle among church officials.
Swift Actions Following the Last Conclave
The mourning period for Pope Benedict was unusual, as the official conclave process was delayed by nearly two weeks. Nonetheless, just a little over a day into the conclave in March, stark black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney initially confused onlookers, signaling that no decision had yet been reached.
Transition from Black to White Smoke
The quick transition from black to white smoke, a pivotal sign indicating the election of a new pope, prompted an immediate response from journalists and the public alike, with many rushing towards St. Peter’s Square.
“We were on the platform at the end of the Via della Conciliazione, which offers a view of the Vatican. All the reporters were asking, ‘Is that white smoke? Is that white smoke?’ because no one wanted to report incorrectly,” recalled Lauren Green, chief religion correspondent for Fox News. “Then came the rush of people towards St. Peter’s Square, all knowing that the new pope would soon emerge.”
The Surprise of Jorge Bergoglio
As the announcement came, many were taken aback when Jorge Bergoglio was named as the new pope, adopting the name Francis. This choice was unexpected, as he wasn’t typically included in discussions about potential candidates—often referred to as the “papabili.”
Even the names speculated upon leading up to the conclave proved inaccurate. As Green noted, “The cardinals have cell phones and they do leak information, showing they are just as human as the rest of us.”
Looking Ahead: Speculations for the Next Pope
In light of the recent developments following Pope Francis’s death, Green anticipates the upcoming conclave may take just “a couple of days.” While no frontrunner currently exists, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the current Vatican Secretary of State, stands out as a probable candidate, given his close ties to the late pope.
The unexpected nature of papal elections serves as a reminder that the next pope could truly emerge from anywhere within the College of Cardinals.