Key steps before conclave

“”Vacant sede“. Since 7:35 am and the death of Pope Francis this Monday, April 21, 2025, the throne of Saint Peter is vacant. The conclave which will designate its successor will bring together cardinals from around the world within fifteen days. In the meantime, the Vatican activity is well framed: since 1996, it is the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, Written by John Paul II, who dictates the procedure to follow during this period.

1. note the death

It is first in Camerlingue, cardinal at the head of the apostolic chamber (the institution which administers the temporal goods of the Vatican) who must see the death of the Holy Father. Since 2019, Irish Cardinal Kevin Farell, 77, has assumed this charge. This Monday, April 21, 2025, he therefore attested to the death of François in the presence of Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of the liturgical celebrations, the secretary and chancellor of the apostolic chamber, as well as his prelates and clerics. Observation which was made in the private chapel of François, according to his will.

The Pope’s office and room were then sealed by Cardinal Farell. At the end of the funeral, and during the time of the conclave, it is all the pontifical apartments that will be sewn. According to tradition, the bells of the Saint-Pierre basilica now sound the death knell.

The fisherman’s ring, a ring carried by the pope throughout his pontificate, is not transmitted: he is removed from his death, and destroyed or striped to be no longer usable.

2. Camerlingue: interim steward

Throughout the duration of the vacancy, Camerlingue “takes possession of the Vatican Apostolic Palace” according to the formula of the Apostolic Constitution, as well as the Palais du Latran and Castel Gandolfo, other pontifical residences. He therefore ensures its government, as it administers the temporal affairs of the Holy See. He finally ensures the organization and the holding of the pope’s funeral.

This Monday, April 21, 2025, Cardinal Farell also had to announce the death of the pontiff to the dean of the cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, by the formula “Vere Papa Mortuus is” (“In truth the Pope is dead”). It is also at the Cardinalice College that it is up to manage the civil affairs of the Vatican.

3. Ceremonies spread over several days

The funeral are organized over a period of nine days, called “novemdiales “including daily masses celebrated for the rest of the soul of the Holy Father. The burial must take place during this time, four to six days after the death according to the Apostolic Constitution.

To various rites celebrated in the apostolic palace, will succeed those of the Saint-Pierre basilica. All are governed by The Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, Posted under Jean-Paul II in 2000.

In April 2024, Pope Francis said his desire to simplify certain aspects of this ceremony. Thus, the pope’s body will be exposed without elevation, and buried in a simple coffin of wood and zinc, no longer in a triple coffin as it was use. François also wanted to be buried in the Sainte-Marie-Majeure basilica of Rome, like seven of his predecessors, and not in the crypt of Saint-Pierre.

4. We will have to wait a bit for the conclave

The 135 cardinals voters will meet in Rome as soon as possible, to open the conclave within fifteen to twenty days, depending on the date they have collegially chosen. In the current Cardinalice College, 110 were created cardinals by François, and six are French.

The holding of the conclave traditionally takes place in the Sistine Chapel. This one, as well as the places of celebration and the places of life of the cardinals during the duration of the electoral process will be held closed.

“The whole territory of the City of the Vatican, as well as the ordinary activity of services having their headquarters, must be organized, for said period, so as to ensure the secret and the free progress of all acts linked to the election of the Sovereign Pontiff”, specifies the Constitution. The cardinals are required not to communicate with the outside.

The conclave begins with a votive mass, then a solemn procession of the cardinals to the sixtine chapel, with the invocation of the Holy Spirit. Everyone is sworn in in front of all.

5. Election of two -thirds majority

The Pope is elected by the majority of two thirds of voters. Two votes take place in the morning and two in the afternoon, every day of the conclave, until this score is obtained. At the end of each voting round, the bulletins are burned. The black smoke escaping from the chimney indicates to the faithful that no pope has yet been elected. If the majority of two thirds are brought together, a white product is assistant to the bulletins, which gives the famous white smoke indicating the election of the Pope.
The oldest cardinal stationed – in this case French Dominique Mamberti – will then go to the central balcony of the basilica to announce “Habemus papam” (“We have a pope”). This is the end of vacant sede (vacant seat). In 2013, two days of conclave allowed the election of François.