Vatican Enters Period of Transition Following Pope Francis’ Death

The death of Pope Francis on Monday has initiated a meticulously defined sequence of protocols governing the transition of leadership within the Catholic Church.

As the College of Cardinals convenes in Rome to prepare for the election of a new pontiff, the Vatican’s legal and liturgical frameworks ensure continuity while the global Church awaits its next spiritual leader.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, formally confirmed the pope’s death after medical professionals pronounced him deceased. Farrell, entrusted with overseeing the interim governance of the Holy See, has assumed responsibilities ranging from securing the papal residence to coordinating funeral arrangements. Under the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, the Camerlengo collaborates with senior cardinals to manage administrative duties and uphold Church operations during the sede vacante period the time between a pope’s death and the election of his successor.

Pope Francis’ funeral, expected within six days of his passing, will reflect his personal directives. Last year, the pontiff revised traditional burial practices, opting for a single coffin instead of the customary triple caskets and selecting St. Mary Major Basilica as his resting place, a departure from the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica. The Camerlengo retains authority over posthumous imagery, prohibiting photographs of the pope except in formal vestments, in adherence to Vatican law.

While the College of Cardinals collectively governs the Church during the interregnum, its powers are constrained to routine matters. Major decisions, including doctrinal or structural changes, remain reserved for the next pope. Key officials, such as the Vatican’s Major Penitentiary, retain their roles, while others, like the Cardinal Secretary of State, cease duties until a new pontiff is elected.

General congregations of all cardinals regardless of age—will commence shortly to finalize funeral logistics, address administrative expenses, and destroy symbolic instruments of papal authority, including the Fisherman’s Ring. Particular congregations, smaller committees selected by lot, will handle day-to-day governance. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the senior voting cardinal-bishop, will oversee the conclave due to the ineligibility of the College’s dean and subdean, both over age 80.

The conclave, set to begin within 15 to 20 days, will see 120 cardinal electors under age 80 sequestered in the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae. Voting in the Sistine Chapel requires a two-thirds majority, with provisions for extended deliberation if consensus proves elusive. Benedict XVI’s 2013 reform mandates a runoff between the top two candidates if 33 ballots fail to yield a result. Upon acceptance, the newly elected pope immediately assumes full authority over the Church.

Francis’ tenure, marked by administrative reforms and liturgical adjustments, leaves a legacy that may influence the conclave’s deliberations. His preference for simplicity, evident in funeral plans, mirrors a broader emphasis on humility during his papacy. As the Church navigates this transition, the enduring structures of canon law ensure stability, reflecting a tradition that has guided papal successions for centuries.

The coming weeks will test the College’s unity and discernment, balancing reverence for tradition with the evolving needs of a global faith community. While the process remains unchanged in its solemnity, the choice of Francis’ successor will signal the Church’s trajectory in an era of complex social and theological challenges.