Introduction
The
notion of “Conclave” remains an ancient and rich tradition of the Church. The
term often come into limelight whenever the pope dies, or when one discusses
how the pope is being elected. Interestingly, there is no better word to describe
the convocation of the cardinals for the purpose of electing the new Supreme
Pontiff other than this term “the Conclave.” It is a period rooted in centuries
of tradition; it represents not only the governance of the Church but also its
faith in divine guidance.
Once
again, the term has come up on many lips virtually in everyday discussion among
Catholics and her separated brethren following the death of the Supreme Pontiff
Pope Francis I on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 at 88 who served for 12 years 1
month and 8 days; whose papacy is the ninth longest in the past 200 years. It
is against this background, that we will take a look at some of the major
events in the life of the Church after the Holy Father’s demise, declaration of
Sede Vacante, Papal or Spiritual Testament,
Rites of funeral, Sacred Conclave – that is the scene before the great
proclamation: “Habemus Papam.”
Death and Declaration of Sede Vacante, the Pope Funeral and the Mourning
Period
The
death of a Pope marks the beginning of a series of events that lead to the
eventual start of a conclave and election of a new Successor of St. Peter. Upon
the demise of the Holy Father, the Camerlengo (Chamberlain of the Holy Roman
Catholic Church) officially verifies the pope’s death. Traditionally, he calls
the pope by his baptismal name three times. If there is no response, he
declares him dead. As soon after the declaration, the Fisherman’s ring (a
symbol of papal authority) is defaced and destroyed to prevent its misused. This
will follow by an announcement by the Camerlengo, who will notify key Church
officials, then the world. Vatican bells may toll in mourning. The pope's body
typically lies in state for several
days (usually 3-5 days) in St. Peter's Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their respects, and then follows the
interment officiated by the Dean of
the College of Cardinals
according to the Spiritual or Papal Testament of the deceased Pontiff. As
in the case Pope Francis, his Spiritual Testament reads:
Pope
Francis' Testament
Pope Francis' testament, dated 29 June 2022, has been published,
giving indications for his burial in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
Miserando
atque Eligendo
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense
the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal
life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my
burial.
Throughout
my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted
myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I
ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the
Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish my
final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where
I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic
Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and
giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
I ask that
my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline
Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the
Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb
should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only
the inscription: Franciscus.
The cost
of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor,
which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary
Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal
Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the
Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to
pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer
to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.
Santa
Marta, 29 June 2022
(https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-spiritual-will-and-testament.html)
However,
the above testament started with his motto “Miserando
atque eligendo” a phrase which can
be translated as: “By having mercy and by choosing him” or in a more simpler
way: “Lowly but chosen.” The motto is an extraction from a homily by Saint Bede
the Venerable who describes Jesus’ call to Matthew, the tax collector, in the
Gospel pericope according to Evangelist Matthew (cf. Matthew 9:9).
Just
after the Pope’s demise, all Heads of Dicasteries of the Roman Curia resign
with some exceptions which aimed at maintaining the regular operations of the
Vatican. Those who maintain their duties include: the Cardinal Camerlengo, who
has the task of overseeing and administering the temporal goods and rights of
the Apostolic See during the time of its vacancy; the Major Penitentiary, the
Cardinal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome; the Cardinal Archpriest of the
Vatican Basilica and Vicar General for Vatican City; the Almoner of His
Holiness; the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State; the
Secretary for Relations with States and, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical
Celebrations. Also, the Secretaries of the Dicasteries remain in place.
In
the light of this, during the Sede Vacante
period, the College of Cardinals
(who all convened in Rome, except in cases of health-related impediments) meets
in two types of Cardinal Congregations:
- a.
General Congregations:
These include the entire College of Cardinals (including those over the age
limit for electing the new Pope). These General Congregations are held in the
Apostolic Palace and are presided over by the Dean of the College. If the Dean
and the Sub-Dean are unable to preside, the senior Cardinal elector takes over.
- b.
Particular Congregations:
These are composed of:
- The Cardinal Camerlengo of the Holy Roman
Church and three Cardinals, one from each Order (Bishops, Priests, and
Deacons), chosen by lot from among the Cardinal electors;
- These three assisting Cardinals serve for
three days, after which they are replaced through a new random selection. This
process continues even during the election;
- The Particular Congregation handles daily
ordinary affairs, while more serious matters must be referred to the General
Congregation.
The
General Congregations (held before the start of the election process) must
promptly deliberate on the following key decisions (excluding procedures
related to the Pope's death):
- Prepare accommodations at the Domus Sanctae
Marthae for the Cardinals and set up the Sistine Chapel for the election procedures;
- Assign two distinguished and morally
authoritative ecclesiastics the task of delivering two reflections to the
Cardinals on the current challenges of the Church and the enlightened choice of
the new Pope, and set the date for these reflections;
- Destroy the Fisherman’s Ring and the Lead
Seal, which were used to authenticate Apostolic Letters.
The Sacred Conclave
The
Sacred Conclave stands as one of the most solemn and mysterious traditions of
the Roman Catholic Church. This ancient and revered ceremony is the process
through which the Church elects a new pope, the spiritual leader of over a
billion Catholics worldwide.
The
concept “conclave” is derives from the Latin usage cum clave, meaning "with a key," signifying the tradition of
locking the cardinal electors away until a new pope is chosen. This ensures the
secrecy and solemnity of the proceedings, shielding the election from external
influences. The practice was formalized in 1274 by Pope Gregory X, following a
lengthy papal vacancy that had lasted almost three years. Since then, conclaves
have been governed by strict rules designed to maintain their spiritual focus
and integrity.
The
conclave is held in Vatican City, with the voting sessions taking place in the
historic Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes. Cardinals under
the age of 80 are eligible to vote and are sequestered for the duration of the
conclave. Each day, they participate in up to four ballots, requiring a
two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. After each vote, the ballots are
burned - producing black smoke if no decision has been reached or white smoke
to signal the successful election of a pope. The atmosphere within the conclave
is deeply spiritual. Before voting, they celebrate a special Mass called Pro Eligendo Papa, at this Mass the
cardinals pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The goal is not political
ambition but the discernment of God's will for the Church. In this sacred
context, the conclave transcends a mere election - it becomes a moment of
divine encounter and responsibility.
Over
the centuries, the conclave has evolved, adapting to changing times while
preserving its essential character. Modern popes, such as John Paul II and
Benedict XVI, introduced procedural reforms, including the use of the Domus
Sanctae Marthae as a residence for electors. In a decree promulgated by Pope
St. John Paul II on February 22, 1996, the Solemnity of the Chair of Peter, the
Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici
Gregis revised and updated the norms in force until then regarding the
apostolic succession in the See of Peter, which had been regulated by Pope Paul
VI’s Apostolic Constitution Romano
Pontifici Eligendo (1975). This document is divided into two parts:- -- The
first governs the Vacancy of the Apostolic See or Sede Vacante, meaning the period
between the cessation of the Pope’s governance of the Church and the election
of his successor.
- The second outlines the procedures for the
preparation and conduct of the election of the Roman Pontiff.
On
another note, technology is strictly banned, emphasizing the timeless nature of
the event in an increasingly connected world.
In
conclusion, the Sacred Conclave is much more than a tradition - it is a
profound expression of faith and unity. It reflects the Church’s enduring
commitment to spiritual leadership through prayerful discernment. As white
smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel, the world witnesses not just the election
of a new pope, but the continuity of a sacred mission. When a two-thirds
majority has been attained, the newly elected Pope will accept the office, and
then chooses a Papal Name. This exercise will be followed by an announcement to
the whole world from the balcony of St. Peter by the Cardinal Protodeacon: “Habemus
Papam!” followed by the new pope’s name. The newly elected pope
then gives his first
apostolic blessing: (Urbi et Orbi – to the city and the
world).
Conclusion
As
the conclave draws near, the world stands at the threshold of a moment both
sacred and decisive. The gathering of cardinals, steeped in centuries of
tradition, represents not just the continuity of the Church but also its
capacity for renewal. Ahead of Conclave: Moment of Divine Decision has traced
the weight of expectation, the complexities of human discernment, and the
ever-present hope for divine guidance. In this moment, history and spirituality
converge, a solemn reminder that, while the cardinals cast their votes, it is
ultimately believed to be the Holy Spirit who chooses. The conclave is not
merely an election; it is a profound act of faith. As the smoke rises from the
Sistine Chapel, the world will look on, awaiting not just a name, but a vision
for the future.
Finally, from silence, a Shepherd shall rise, history will turn, with smoke a new
hope will appear as guided by the Spirit. Let us therefore pray as we await in
patience the Fisherman’s heir.
