Who next after Pope Francis? Details of cremation, mourning

Pope Francis, the first pope from Latin America, has passed away at 88, according to a video announcement from the Vatican. The statement said, “This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father."

He became head of the Catholic Church in March 2013, shortly after Pope Benedict XVI resigned in a rare move.

He chose the name “Francis” in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, a beloved Italian figure known for his devotion to humility and nature.

Traditionally, the pope’s death is verified by the camerlengo—a high-ranking Vatican official—who performs a symbolic ritual by calling out the pope’s name three times. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who currently holds this position, would typically fulfill that duty. However, modern medical procedures may have been used to confirm Francis’s death.

As per custom, once a pope dies, his signet ring—used to authenticate official documents—is destroyed, symbolizing the end of his papacy. His private chambers are sealed, and the College of Cardinals is informed before the news is made public.

The burial usually takes place within four to six days, led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, now 91-year-old Giovanni Battista Re. Most popes are interred beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican Grottoes. However, Pope Francis had expressed a personal wish to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a church close to his heart.

The period of mourning, known as Novendiale, spans nine days and includes religious ceremonies and tributes. Traditionally, the pope’s body would lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, dressed in ceremonial robes for public viewing. In earlier times, popes were embalmed and some had their organs removed for preservation. In fact, a church near the Trevi Fountain holds the hearts of over 20 popes as relics.

However, Pope Francis had introduced changes to these traditions. In a 2024 reform, he simplified the funeral procedures, doing away with elaborate elements like public viewing on a raised bier and the triple-layered caskets. Instead, his body would rest in a simple coffin.

Roughly three weeks after the funeral, the Church moves on to electing a new leader. The College of Cardinals gathers in the Sistine Chapel for a conclave—a tradition that’s been followed for centuries. No one campaigns for the role of pope; rather, cardinals under the age of 80 quietly vote for who they believe is most suited to lead the Church.

As of January 2025, there are 138 eligible voting cardinals. During the conclave, they are locked inside the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secrecy. Each round of voting is done using handwritten ballots placed in a chalice. Up to four votes can happen each day.

After each vote, the ballots are burned in a special stove. The color of the smoke signals the outcome to the world: black for no decision, white for a successful election.

Once a new pope is chosen, the announcement “Habemus papam" (“We have a pope”) is proclaimed from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The new leader then steps out in his white vestments, introduces himself to the world, and delivers his first blessing.

Beyond his spiritual leadership, the pope also plays a key role in diplomacy and humanitarian issues, often serving as a global moral authority and a peacemaker.

Pope Francis’s decision to revise the funeral rites in late 2024 was seen as a reflection of his lifelong emphasis on simplicity, humility, and service. These changes will shape how future popes are remembered as well.

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