Catholic Church: The Pope is dead: what’s next?

Pope Francis is dead. Until the funeral on Saturday, to which state guests from all over the world are expected, everything is now going according to strict regulations. And then until the election of the new head of the Catholic Church. The hours, days and weeks are regulated down to the smallest detail. What’s next? The most important thing at a glance:

Who now leads the Catholic Church?

The period until the election of the new Pope is called Sedisvakanz. Nobody knows how long it takes. The term comes from Latin. Literally translated it means: “empty chair”. During this time, the management of the Roman Catholic Church passes to the College of College. The college currently has 252 cardinals from a wide variety of countries – but not all of them are far from in Rome.

The cardinals may not issue basic decisions such as new church laws. However, they take care of the ongoing shops, also the funeral ceremony and later the choice of Pope Francis’ successor.

Where is the dead Pope laid out?

The body is currently in the chapel of Francis’ Residence Santa Marta in the Vatican. The Vatican published the first pictures of the open coffin in the morning. The dead Pope is wearing a red robe and a white bishop’s mitra. A rosary is wrapped around the hands. First of all, cardinals, members of the curia and employees of the Vatican can say goodbye.

On Wednesday morning (9:00 a.m.) the body will be brought to St. Peter’s Basilica in a procession by Casa Santa Marta via St. Peter’s Square. The Irish cardinal treasurer Kevin Farrell, who also found death, leads the service at the mighty Papstaltar. Then it is possible to step into the coffin and to have the last honor. It is expected that tens of thousands of believers will come.

When is Francis buried?

On Tuesday morning, a group of cardinals came together for the first time since Francis’ death. They decided that Francis will be buried on Saturday – five days after his death. The funeral service begins at 10 a.m. on St. Peter’s Square. The trade fair is the dean of the Cardinal College, the 91 -year -old Italian Giovanni Battista Re. This is followed by “Ultima Commendatio” (blessing) and “Valedictio” (farewell).

Numerous state guests from all over the world are expected for the funeral service. US President Donald Trump was one of the first, together with his wife Melania. President Javier Milei comes from Francis’ Argentine homeland. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the executive Chancellor Olaf Scholz are expected from Germany. In addition, many church dignitaries travel to other religions.

Where will the Pope find his last rest?

After the big funeral mass on Saturday morning, the coffin from St. Peter’s Square is initially brought back to St. Peter’s Basilica. Afterwards it goes a few kilometers to burial in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, not far from Rome’s main station. Unlike many predecessors, Francis did not want to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican grotto underneath. Instead, he decided on the Marienkirche, which he visited very often during his lifetime.

In his will published on Monday evening, he also recorded his request in writing. “I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal office to the mother of our Lord, St. Mary,” it says. Therefore, his “last earthly trip” should end in the basilica. He stated that his grave should be “simple, without special decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus”.

How is Francis’ successor determined?

The conclave probably begins in early May – again in the Sistine chapel. According to the current status, 135 cardinals from all over the world are entitled to vote. Cardinal dean Re invites them to Rome. There are currently three German cardinals: Reinhard Marx, Rainer Maria Woelki and Gerhard Ludwig Müller. There are so -called general assemblies in front of the conclave. Organizational questions are discussed there, but also advised on the profile of the future Pope.

However, the cardinals in the Sistine chapel are elected at the latest 20 days after death. These strictly shielded election meetings are led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Italian is acted as a “papabile” himself – as someone who has grown to the papal office.

When is a new Pope determined?

The conclave can be over after a few hours, but also days and weeks: there is no time limit. The longest choice started in autumn 1268. It was only after two years, nine months and two days with Gregor X. there was a new Pope. In the meantime, things are going quickly: Francis was chosen in 2013 after a little more than 26 hours and five elections. His predecessor, the German Benedict XVI, was determined in 2005 after four rounds.

Because Francis has appointed many new cardinals from distant countries that do not know each other very well, the choice is probably more open this time than with earlier complies. To choose from, the new Pope needs a two -thirds majority. The first ballot takes place on the first afternoon. The further rhythm then consists of two electoral groups in the morning and two electoral courses in the afternoon.

The ballot papers are burned after unsuccessful pollen – then black smoke rises from the chimney, which can be seen on the roof of the Sistine chapel. After the successful ballot, white coloring chemicals are added, so that white smoke rises. This is the sign of the believers outside on St. Peter’s Square and all over the world that there is a new Pope. In Latin: Habemus Papam.