Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. He had served as the spiritual leader to over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide since 2013. Known for his humble lifestyle, focus on reform, and compassionate approach, Pope Francis had guided the Catholic Church for more than a decade.
Final Days of the Beloved Pope
In the weeks leading up to his death, Pope Francis had been seriously ill. He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday, April 20. Just days before, he had briefly met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
His health had been a growing concern for some time. On March 3, he suffered from two episodes of acute respiratory failure, as confirmed by the Vatican. Later, on March 24, he experienced a sudden health crisis, including bronchospasm, vomiting, and inhalation issues. Despite this, he showed some signs of improvement afterward.
On February 14, he had been put on non-invasive mechanical ventilation after being diagnosed with double pneumonia. He spent over two weeks in the hospital, fighting for his life. A day before one of his relapses, he met two Vatican officials and thanked people around the world for their prayers.
His passing marked the end of a papacy shaped by kindness, simplicity, and a deep desire to bring the Church closer to ordinary people.
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Sacred Rituals and Mourning in the Vatican
Following Pope Francis’s death, the Vatican immediately began a series of sacred steps. These are ancient procedures that have been followed for many years.
First, his death was confirmed by the Vatican’s health department and Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who serves as the Camerlengo—the official responsible for managing things after a Francis dies.
His body was then moved to his private chapel, where he was dressed in a white cassock and placed in a wooden coffin lined with zinc. Unlike earlier popes, he will not wear the mitre or pallium. Instead, he will be clothed in red vestments, following Church tradition.
One important ritual was the breaking of the Fisherman’s Ring. This ring is used to seal important Church documents and represents the pope’s authority. To prevent any misuse, the ring was crushed using a special hammer—signaling the official end of Pope Francis’s time as Francis.
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The Vatican has now entered a period known as sede vacante, which means “the seat is vacant.” During this time, the Church will not make major decisions. The College of Cardinals, a group of high-ranking Church leaders, will handle everyday matters.
A nine-day mourning period, called the Novendiale, has also begun. It includes religious services and memorials in honor of the late Pope. During this period, many Catholics and world leaders are expected to offer prayers and condolences.
Italy may also announce a national day of mourning to honor Pope Francis.
His body will be on display inside his coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica. This will allow people from around the world to pay their final respects. Francis had earlier expressed his wish for a simple farewell, avoiding elaborate arrangements.
Funeral, Burial, and What Comes Next
The funeral of Francis is expected to take place four to six days after his death. In keeping with tradition, it will be followed by up to nine days of religious ceremonies in different churches in Rome.
His burial will reflect his simple and humble nature. Instead of the traditional three coffins made of different woods and metals, Pope Francis will be buried in a single wooden coffin lined with zinc.
Before sealing the coffin, Church officials will place a white silk cloth over his face. This is a traditional sign that the pope has gone to eternal rest.
A bag of coins, minted during his time as pope, and a document called the rogito will also be placed in the coffin. The rogito contains a written summary of the Pope’s life and accomplishments. It is read out loud before the coffin is closed.
As per his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St Mary Major. This church held a special place in his heart, as he often went there for quiet prayer and reflection.
After the burial, preparations will begin for the selection of a new pope. Around 120 cardinals under the age of 80 will take part in a sacred election process called the conclave. They will meet in the Sistine Chapel in complete secrecy to vote on the next leader of the Catholic Church.
The current dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, is 91 years old and will not be voting due to age. Another senior cardinal will likely take his place to lead the conclave.
Voting is done in several rounds. If no candidate gets the required two-thirds majority, the ballots are burned and black smoke rises from a chimney. White smoke indicates that a new pope has been chosen.
Once a new pope is selected, he will choose a papal name and wear a white cassock. A senior cardinal will then step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and announce to the world, “Habemus papam”—”We have a pope.”
These traditional steps are part of an important and respectful process that honors the memory of Pope Francis while preparing for the Church’s next chapter.