Sede Vacante
Sede Vacante
On Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. He passed away in his home at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. His death certificate later revealed his cause of death was a cerebral stroke, which placed him into a coma, followed by heart failure. After his death, the Roman Catholic Church entered a period of sede vacante, a Latin term meaning “the seat is vacant.” Traditionally, there is quite a bit of rituals and ceremony surrounding and following the death of the pontiff. The pope’s death is formally certified by the custom of calling out his baptismal name, “Jorge,” three times. After this ritual is complete, an official announcement is made to senior church officials and to the Roman people.
Following this formal declaration, the Camerlengo, or Chamberlain, seals Pope Frances’ apartments and offices. This idea originated to prevent theft of the Pope’s belongings but now serves as metaphorical end of the Pope’s rule. Now, the Vatican is to enter a 9 day mourning period in which multiple Masses are held to honor the Pope. The pope’s body lies in state while awaiting his burial between day 4 and 6 of the mourning period, allowing the public to pay their respects before he is laid to rest. His funeral was held in St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of Catholics and world leaders attended. After the funeral, Pope Francis was laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, although, traditionally, the pope is laid to rest in St. Peter’s Basilica.
As we enter the Interregnum period, otherwise know as the period between popes, the election process of the new Pope begins. During this period, the College of Cardinals oversees the Church and are to go through several rounds of voting until a two thirds majority is reached. Throughout this voting process, the world watches the Sistine Chapel for smoke signals. Black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote, in which a day of prayer and reflection is held before resuming the voting process, while white smoke announces the election of a new pope. Once elected, the candidate is asked if he accepts his position and is invited to choose a papal name. After choosing a name, the pope is introduced on the balcony of St. Peter’s Square, where the words “Habemus Papam”, Latin for we have a new pope, is proclaimed. The pope then begins his first blessing over the crowd.