Pope Francis’ death marks the end of an era.
After 13 years as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis died at age 88 on Monday, April 21. A statement from the Vatican confirmed that he died in his residence at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell shared in a statement on Monday. “At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
The statement continued: “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”
The Pope’s death came hours after he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 20.
Following the pope’s death the Catholic Church’s most senior leaders — under the age of 80 — meet in Rome for a secret conclave to select the next pope. (The 2024 movie Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes follows a similar storyline.)
Keep scrolling for more details:
What Is a Conclave?
As defined in the Roman Catholic Church, a conclave is an assembly of cardinals — senior members of the clergy — to elect the new pope.
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How Long Does the Conclave Last?
Traditionally, the conclave doesn’t officially begin until about 10 or 15 days following the pope’s death.
The pope’s body will be put on display at St Peter’s Basilica for a public viewing. His funeral will take place anywhere between four and six days following his death, with a mass taking place in St Peter’s Square.
Where Does the Conclave Take Place?
The cardinals assemble in the Sistine Chapel, which locks its doors to those voting for a new pope and a few trusted doctors and advisers.
What Happens During a Conclave?
The election process is completed under a code of secrecy. However, there is a daily mass and voting period, but after every seven ballots there is a reflection period for prayer. A new pope is chosen after a candidate wins a 2/3 majority of the vote.
After each round of voting, ballots are burned. If black smoke emerges from the chimney, the public knows the ballot was inconclusive. White smoke indicates that a new pope has been chosen.
How Long Is a Conclave?
There is no set length. Voting can go on for weeks or months, until a 2/3 majority is met.
