By Mark Orgu, News/Comments
It’s no longer news of Pope Francis’s death, which occurred on Easter Monday, April 21; a very significant day in the history of the Catholic Church, a day, Christ promised his disciples that He will meet them in Galilee, after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Pope Francis became one of the oldest Popes with history of reformation and modernization of the Church. He passed away in glory.
Meanwhile, The Holy See Press Office has said that the funeral of the late Pope will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10am in St. Peter’s Square. According to the statement, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, “Will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.”
While many people may not understand the process of announcing Papacy’s demise, the commentary therefore focuses on it as researched from undisclosed source:
Inside the sacred rituals of the Vatican, the death of a Pope doesn’t just mark the end of spiritual era, it sets in the motions in one of the most sacred and mysterious processes in the world, the Vatican steeped in centuries of tradition, follows a time honoured sequence of events that feels like something out of the hidden chapter of history- the first to be notified is the Camerlengo.
The Chamberlain of the Holy Roman church, more than a messenger. He’s the steward of the church in this time of transition. A cardinal with both spiritual responsibility and administrative power. His most solemn duty confirming the Pope’s passing, standing beside the Pope’s body. He gently calls the Pontiff’s baptismal name three times once twice a third time, silence answers him, and that silence marks the moment the Pope is declared deceased in accordance with long standing Vatican tradition, no autopsy is conducted.
A death certificate is issued and the Camerlengo proceeds to see all the Papal apartments once a protection against looting. Now a safeguard the Pope’s final instructions and personal documents, then, comes a deeply symbolic act, the removal and ceremonial destruction of the Pope’s signet, the ring of the fisherman. This ring, a mark of Papal’s authority is gently cut with shears in the presence of other cardinals.
The gesture signifies the end of the Pope’s earthly mission and prevent any misuse of his seal. Now the world must be informed, there’s a clear order, first, the cardinal vicar of Rome, then the dean of the college of cardinals, , who notifies the rest of the cardinals, the holy see ambassadors around the globe are contacted, followed by world leaders.
Today news spreads instantly but the protocol remains out of deep respect. The Pope’s funeral must take place between fourth and sixth day after his death. However, the mourning and commemoration last for nine days, a tradition known as Novem dias, filled with prayers, masses and remembrance . The Pope often leaves behind details instructions behind, for how this farewell should unfold, then, the focus turns to the future. Fifteen day after the Pope’s death, the College of cardinals begins the ancient process known as conclave , the election of a new spiritual leader.
The world itself means with a key and that’s exactly what happens –the cardinals are sequestered inside the Sistine chapel, completely cut off from the outside world , no phones no news, no distractions just solemn prayer, tradition and weight o of history, all cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a lesser known details. Even cardinals under ecclesiastical penalties may still participate.
The conclave begins with mass, then the cardinals take an oath to follow the sacred rules and the voting begins to elect a new Pope. A cardinal must receive at least two thirds of the vote. After each vote, the ballots are burnt and the world watches the chimney that rises above the chapel. Black smoke signals no decision has been made, white smoke means, a new Pope has been chosen-that moment when white smoke rises is electric bells ring out the crowd roars . Curtain opens on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and a cardinal steps forward to speak iconic words, Habenus Papam we have , we have a Pope, a sacred tradition, a new chapter, the eyes of the world turn once again to Rome.
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