What is the Sede Vacante, the period of electing a new Pope after Francis’ death: ‘Vere Papa mortuus est’

On Easter Monday the world learnt of the sad passing of Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome. The news sparked a period of mourning around the world, with global leaders heading to the Vatican to pay tribute at his funeral.

Alongside those funeral rites, there is a whole other process that is triggered by the death of a Pope. The Catholic Church is now in need of a new leader and the system of selecting a successor is not a straight-forward one.

The Sede Vacante is a special period in the Catholic Church that begins after the death or resignation of the Pope. This term comes from Latin and means “vacant seat,” referring to the absence of the pontiff. During this time, the Church is without its supreme leader, and a series of protocols and procedures are activated to ensure an orderly and respectful transition.

Notification of the Pope’s death

When a Pope passes away, the process begins with the official confirmation of his death by the Camerlengo, who calls the Pope by his given name three times to verify his passing. Once confirmed, the Pope’s chamber and office are sealed, and his death is publicly announced to the world. This announcement marks the beginning of the Sede Vacante.

During the first nine days, known as the novemdiales, Masses are celebrated in honor of the deceased Pope. Meanwhile, the College of Cardinals gathers in general congregations to discuss the state of the Church and prepare for the election of the new Pope. This period is crucial, as the cardinals must ensure that all administrative and ceremonial aspects are in order before proceeding with the conclave.

The conclave and election of the new Pope

The conclave is the secret meeting of the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel to elect the new Pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and they must do so under strict confidentiality and isolation. Voting takes place up to four times a day, and a candidate must secure at least a two-thirds majority to be elected. If no consensus is reached, voting continues until the required majority is achieved.

Once a new Pope is chosen, a special mixture of ballots is burned to produce white smoke, signaling to the world that Habemus Papam (“We have a Pope”). The new pontiff is then presented to the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the end of the Sede Vacante and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church.

With Pope Francis’s death, this process is activated immediately. Francis, who has been a transformative figure in the Church since his election in 2013, leaves behind a significant legacy. The election of his successor will be a momentous event, not only for Catholics but for the entire world, as the new Pope would continue to lead over 1.3 billion faithful worldwide.

The Sede Vacante is, therefore, a period of reflection, mourning, and preparation, ensuring an orderly and respectful transition in the leadership of the Catholic Church.

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