But before the cardinals convene in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to elect a new pope, the Church enters a period called “sede vacante” or “the vacant See”.
Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell will tun the administrative and financial duties until a new pope is elected (Vatican Media via AP)
– Who is in charge now?
After the pope has died, the camerlengo, or chamberlain, must certify the death and seal the papal apartment. He runs administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over.
The largely ceremonial job of camerlengo is currently held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Irish-born American head of the Vatican’s laity office, who also announced the death on Monday morning.
Nearly all prefects of Vatican offices lose their jobs when a pope dies, but a few stay on, including the foreign minister and the master of liturgical ceremonies, who plays a key role in assembling the conclave.
The dean of the College of Cardinals summons the cardinals for the funeral, presiding at the Mass before the conclave begins. That position is currently held by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the retired head of the Vatican’s office for bishops.
The coffin will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
– What happens next?
The death of a pope begins a precise sequence of events that include the confirmation of death in the pontiff’s home, the transfer of the coffin to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, a funeral Mass and burial.
Interment must take place between th...
[Short citation of 8% of the original article]