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After the Death of a Pope: A Guide for the Faithful

Apr 22, 2025 by Cheryl Hadley

When a pope dies, the Catholic Church enters a sacred time of mourning, reflection, and preparation. For the faithful, the death of the Holy Father is not just the loss of a spiritual leader, but the loss of a father figure—a visible sign of unity and Christ’s presence on earth. The passing of Pope Francis begins a time of mourning and sacred tradition at the heart of the Church.

What are the traditions and rituals observed during this holy time?

Confirming the Pope’s Death

The pope’s death is confirmed officially by the camerlengo, the cardinal who serves as both the Treasurer of the Holy See and the Papal Chamberlain. He temporarily administers the Vatican and supervises the preparations for electing the new pope.

He also has ceremonial duties to coordinate during the interregnum, the interval of time when the Holy See awaits the election of the next Vicar of Christ. Currently, the camerlengo is Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Traditionally, the camerlengo calls out to the pope using his baptismal name three times, to confirm there is no response. The Holy Father's death is then medically verified, and finally it is solemnly announced in Latin with the words: “Vere, Franciscus mortuus est”—“Truly, Francis is dead.”

Since the Holy Father is the Bishop of Rome, the chief administrator of the Diocese of Rome also announces to the city of Rome, and to the world, the death of the Pontiff.

Bells ring out in St. Peter’s Square and across the Eternal city, and the Vatican flags are lowered to half-staff. All eligible cardinals are then summoned by email to the Vatican.

The camerlengo seals the papal apartment and retires the Fisherman’s Ring, which is worn by the Pope and contains his insignia. It is traditionally cut or broken by the camerlengo, so it cannot be used for any official seals or forgeries. The breaking of the ring also symbolizes the end of a Pope's reign.

Our mourning for the Pope has begun, and so has prayerful preparation for what is to come as the Church elects a new Holy Father.

Preparing the Pope's Body for Burial

Pope Francis’ body will be prepared according to tradition: clothed in red vestments over his white cassock—signifying the sacrifice of his papal ministry—and laid in a simple wooden coffin.

While past popes were laid to rest within three nested coffins: one of cypress wood, another of lead, and a final outer coffin made of oak or elm, Pope Francis changed this custom, and is expected to be placed in a single coffin of wood and zinc.

His body will be blessed with holy water, and a white silk cloth will cover his face.

A Rogito, the official document recording his life and works, will be read aloud and signed. A duplicate will be entered into the Vatican archives.

Popes are generally buried holding a rosary, their death certificate, and their broken fisherman’s ring. Buried with the Holy Father are symbolic items, including things like his miter (headdress) and white lamb's wool pallium, the long white band draped over his chest and back that symbolizes his papal authority.

His crozier, or pastoral staff, signifying his role as shepherd of Christ's flock, a bag of coins minted during his papacy (for each year he served), a copy of the Rogito and, traditionally, a rosary and papal death certificate are also included.

His body may or may not be embalmed. Popes John Paul II and John XXIII were not embalmed, but their bodies were treated with chemical preservatives that allowed for extensive public viewing.

The Funeral Rites

Senior Vatican officials and cardinals will sing Psalm 42 as the coffin is sealed. “Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul in longing for you, my God...”

The Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the official text guiding papal funerals, outlines the ancient rites in 400 pages of liturgy, music and prayers from the time the Pope dies until he is burried.

His body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for several days, where faithful pilgrims and dignitaries may come to pray and pay their respects.

The formal funeral Mass will take place four to six days after his death in St. Peter’s Square, weather permitting. It will be celebrated in Latin, with special prayers reserved only for the burial of a pope.

The Univerci Dominici Gregis, which is Latin for “The Shepherd of the Lord’s Whole Flock” issued by Pope St. John Paul II in 1996 details the procedures that follow the death of a Pope until the election of his successor.

Red vestments are worn at the funeral, symbolizing the blood of Christ and the pope’s role as a spiritual martyr who lays down his life for his flock.

Millions will make pilgrimages to see him as he lies in state, and his faithful flock will mourn and pray.

Although many popes have been buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis requested burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a place of deep personal devotion and meaning for him.

The Interregnum - "Sede Vacante"

With the pope’s passing, the Church enters a period called the sede vacante—“the seat being vacant.” During this time of interregnum, when we are between two popes, no major decisions are made for the Universal Church.

The camerlengo oversees the day-to-day operations of the Vatican and ensures all protocols are followed. His duties include inventorying the late pope’s possessions, sealing his rooms, and coordinating the upcoming conclave.

This period in the Church is filled with prayer, solemnity, and expectancy.

The Novemdiales: Nine Days of Mourning

The novemdiales—a traditional nine-day period of mourning—begins with the funeral Mass and continues with daily liturgies for the repose of the pope’s soul. These days serve as a time of prayer, reflection, and remembrance, not only for Vatican clergy but for Catholics around the world.

These nine days are holy days of prayer for the soul of the Holy Father, but also for Holy Mother Church who prepares to receive a new leader by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

The Conclave: Electing a New Pope

Within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death, those in the College of Cardinals under age 80 will assemble in Rome for the conclave—a prayerful gathering held in the Sistine Chapel.

While the number of cardinals has traditionally been capped at 120, Pope Francis appointed many cardinals during his reign, meaning there are now more than 130 eligible electors.

The electors will gather in meetings called general congregations to prepare and discuss, and then vote in silence and under oath, to select the next Vicar of Christ.

Cardinals stay at the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse on Vatican grounds. During voting, they are locked inside the Sistine Chapel and cut off from all outside communication. The premises is checked for microphones and cameras, and the process begins with holy mass.

The voting is deeply spiritual and guided by the Holy Spirit. Electors cast paper ballots into a special urn. One round of voting commences on the first day, and four rounds each subsequent day, until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority.

When that does not happen, the secret ballots are burned, sending black smoke into the skies of Rome.

When it does occur, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re asks: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”

The moment the elected candidate answers “Accepto,” he becomes our new pope.

He then chooses a papal name and dons the white cassock in the “Room of Tears.” The room received its name because throughout time, so many new popes have been overcome with emotions there.

They experience both the joys of serving God's people and the weight of their new role while they dress. Like the other popes before them, 266 including Pope Francis, they prepare to greet the world and lead the Church.

When ready, the new Pope steps out onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square to receive the love of the faithful and deliver his first blessing to the Body of Christ.

The bells of St. Peter’s ring out, and white smoke, created by burning a chemical compound, rises into the skies for all to see —“Habemus Papam!” ("We have a pope!" )

Hope Through Grief

For Catholics mourning the death of Pope Francis, this time is marked by sorrow—but also great hope.

The timeless institution of the Church continues, guided by Christ Himself. We trust in the Holy Spirit to lead the College of Cardinals in choosing a worthy shepherd. We trust and pray that he will carry forward the mission of Christ and His Church.

As we wait, we pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis:

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Let's also pray together for the Church, as we unite with her, led by our new Holy Father, to carry our timeless Faith into the future and preserve it for generations to come.