© Getty Images

What is a pope? -

The pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome. He is the highest authority in the Catholic hierarchy and the spiritual leader for Catholics around the world. The pope is also believed to be the successor to Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles.

© Getty Images

What is a pope? -

In addition to the pope's religious leadership, he is involved in political, moral, and social issues, often promoting peace, charity, and justice globally.

© Getty Images

The death of a pope -

The death of a pope is somber and significant, marking the end of an era for the Catholic Church and the beginning of a transition period for its followers.

© Getty Images

His chamberlain officially declares his death -

The person who formally proclaims the pope's death is called the camerlengo, a papal chamberlain who has significant authority over the Vatican court. The camerlengo must identify the pope's body, confirm his death before church officials, and give absolution.

© Getty Images

His chamberlain officially declares his death -

There is a common myth that claims the ceremony requires the camerlengo to call the pope's name three times and tap his head with a silver hammer. The latter is likely untrue, and there is no fixed number or requirement for the pope's name to be called.

© Getty Images

Alerting the vicar of Rome -

The camerlengo then informs the vicar of Rome about the pope's death so he can spread the word throughout the city. However, in the modern media age, the public will likely have already heard the news by this point. Until a new pope is chosen, the camerlengo becomes the temporal regent of Vatican City.

© Shutterstock

The pope's ring is destroyed -

The pope's ring, known as the Fisherman's Ring, features an image of Saint Peter, the fisherman from Galilee, symbolizing his role as the first pope and the foundation of the Catholic Church. Upon the pope's death, the ring is destroyed.

© Getty Images

The pope's ring is destroyed -

Each Fisherman's Ring is unique to its respective pope. Historically, popes used it as a seal on their private correspondence, so the destruction of the ring after the pope's death was a necessary precaution against forgeries.

© Shutterstock

Sede vacante -

Upon the death of a pope, the Vatican enters a period known as 'sede vacante' or 'empty throne' until a new pope is elected. The Apostolic Chamber seals off the papal apartments with wax seals and ribbons, traditionally carried out as a precaution against looting.

© Getty Images

Sede vacante -

The papal apartments are sealed with wax seals and ribbons, and the Vatican flag is displayed while coins are minted to signal the beginning of the sede vacante period. The specially minted coins are intended for collectors and may help cover funeral costs.

© Getty Images

The interregnum -

Sede vacante is also referred to as the interregnum, the period between two popes. The College of Cardinals is summoned at this time by the Vatican, and within 15 to 20 days after the pope's death, they must begin the election of a new pope.

© Getty Images

Nine days of mourning -

The period of mourning for a pope lasts nine days and is known as the novendial. This duration has its roots in the Roman period and is marked by nine requiem masses.

© Getty Images

Lying in state -

The pope's body lies in state for three days after death so that visitors can pay their last respects before the funeral. The body is open to public viewing in the Clementine Chapel of St. Peter's Basilica after an initial period in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. 

© Getty Images

Lying in state -

The period of lying in state attracts visitors from around the globe. An estimated 750,000 people came to pay their respects to Pope John Paul I in 1978, while about a million attended the lying in state of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

© Getty Images

The funeral should happen four to six days after the pope's death -

According to the Apostolic Constitution issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996, after a pope is declared dead, the funeral should be held within four to six days, as this allows time for the public to pay their respects.

© Getty Images

Red for mourning -

In the 12th century, the Catholic Church codified which colors would be used for various occasions. During the mourning period following the death of a pope, red vestments are worn by the clergy during specific liturgical ceremonies.

© Getty Images

Red for mourning -

According to the Catholic Church, wearing red during this period signifies love, martyrdom, fire, and blood. When the pope is laid to rest, he is dressed in red vestments, symbolizing his martyrdom and the sacrifices made for the faith.

© Getty Images

A Byzantine tradition -

Historians believe that wearing red for mourning is a funeral tradition from Eastern traditions and the Byzantine Empire that was imported to Rome between 330 CE and 1453. 

© Getty Images

Three-part funerals -

According to instructions written in the "Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis," which was first made public after the death of John Paul II, papal funerals are divided into three stages, each observed at different locations and before different assemblies.

© Getty Images

Three-part funerals -

The first stage of the funeral involves a mass celebrated over the pope as he lies on his bier. The second stage takes place in St. Peter's Square, where the mass is celebrated before St. Peter's Basilica and may last up to three hours.

© Getty Images

Final resting place -

The final stage of the funeral procession involves the pope being taken to his final resting place. Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI are the only popes who have been buried, while their predecessors were entombed below St. Peter's Basilica.

© Getty Images

Millions pay their respects -

A papal funeral can attract millions, within Vatican City itself and beyond. Screens and viewing platforms are set up to ensure that the crowd can witness the proceedings. During Pope John Paul II's funeral, Italian officials were willing to close the city if it reached capacity.

© Getty Images

A major security operation -

With millions of visitors and public figures paying their respects to a deceased pope, a papal funeral becomes a major security operation. Vatican stipulations forbid anyone but its own security from carrying firearms within the city, but additional security measures are often implemented to ensure the safety of all attendees.

© Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI's funeral broke tradition -

Pope Benedict XVI, who died on December 31, 2022, broke 600 years of precedent by resigning from the papacy instead of serving until death. His final years were spent away from the public eye, while Pope Francis led the Church. This posed a challenge for Vatican City: how to conduct a funeral for a former pope while the current pope is still alive?

© Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI's funeral -

Days before the funeral, it was decided that Pope Benedict XVI's funeral would be simpler compared to the typical papal funeral. Although the mourning period was less extravagant, he was still laid to rest in St. Peter's Basilica wearing the traditional red vestments. Pope Francis himself presided over the service.

© Getty Images

The future of papal funerals -

With Pope Francis's health unstable, there has been widespread speculation about whether Pope Benedict XVI's resignation and pared-down funeral might establish a new precedent for future papal funerals.

© Getty Images

How are popes selected? -

Although any Roman Catholic male can technically be elected pope, since 1379, every pope has been selected from the College of Cardinals, the group casting the votes at the conclave. If a cardinal receives two-thirds of the votes, he becomes the new pope.

© Getty Images

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel -

Ballots are burned after the votes, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. If a pope has not been chosen, the ballots are burned with a chemical that produces black smoke. If the smoke is white, however, it confirms that there is a new head of the Catholic Church.

© Getty Images

The pope is revealed -

Around 30 to 60 minutes after the white smoke, the new pope appears on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square. The words "Habemus Papam" (Latin for "We have a pope") are announced, and the new pope is introduced by his chosen papal name.

Sources: (CNN) (Grunge) (Britannica) (History)

See also: Fascinating funeral traditions around the world

© Getty Images