What happens when the pope dies and when will his funeral take place?

Telegraph

21-04-2025

News of Pope Francis's death at the age of 88 will have affected the many millions of Catholics across the world.
The death of a pope triggers a formal and lengthy period of mourning complete with many historic rituals that are completed before cardinals gather to elect a successor.
These rituals include: certifying his death by calling out his name three times, sealing his apartment doors with red ribbons and breaking his papal ring with shears.
Arrangements are also made for a funeral to be held, for his body to lie in state and a successor to be elected. The pope's chief of staff, known as the camerlengo, is in charge of all arrangements and is also responsible for the formal determination of death.
Death ritual
Before making the announcement public, the camerlengo ceremonially verifies the pope's death by calling out his baptismal name three times. If there is no response, then a death certificate is authorised. Traditionally, the camerlengo would gently tap the pope's head with a silver hammer.
The Vatican forbids post-mortem examinations being carried out on popes so the body will remain largely untouched. Photographs or film of the pope either on his sickbed or after death are forbidden. If the deceased pope has made a will and has named an executor, that executor will give an account of his activities only to the new pope.
Sealing the papal desk
Following the death being certified, the camerlengo supervises the locking of the papal desk. He is also responsible for sealing the doors of his apartment with red ribbons.
This happens for every pope after his death and is an old practice traced back to antiquity, which symbolises that nothing in the Church can be done in the period between the death of the old pope and election of the new pope.
When the next pope is elected, the ribbons will be removed and the Vatican apartment will be unsealed.
Destroying the papal seal
The camerlengo cuts the papal ring with a pair of shears in the presence of other cardinals. The ring is known as the Piscatory Ring, or the Ring of the Fisherman. It is part of the official regalia worn by the pope, who is the successor to St Peter, a fisherman by trade. Since at least the Middle Ages, it has been traditional for the faithful meeting the pope to show their devotion by kissing the ring.
There are many reasons why the ring is cut. Among the most important is to ensure that it, as a signet ring, cannot be used in the forging of documents. The ring-cutting also symbolises the ending of the late pope's authority and tenure.
Each ring is unique to each pope and is buried with him.
Alerting the world
Following the official determination of the pope's death, the Vatican then begins to share the news globally. The pope's death is made public by alerting a number of individuals, including: the cardinal vicar for the Diocese of Rome, the dean of the College of Cardinals (who share the news with the rest of the cardinal college), the ambassadors of the Holy See and the heads of nations.
To mark a pope's death, the bells of St Peter's Basilica will toll and Vatican flags will fly at half-mast. The body of the deceased pope is then placed in the Apostolic Palace for members of the Curia to mourn, before being moved to St. Peter's Basilica to allow pilgrims to pay their last respects.
When will the Pope's funeral be held?
The funeral, which is held in St Peter's Square, must take place between four and six days after the death of the pope – except in the case of unspecified 'special reasons', according to new rules established in 1996. There is an official nine-day period of mourning from the day of his death.
Each pope gives specific instructions for the camerlengo to execute following his death. A pope's funeral is a state funeral as he is the head of the Vatican City state. Many world leaders as well as other delegates and dignitaries are expected to attend, as well as the cardinals who are responsible for selecting the new pope.
Lying in state and burial
Following the funeral, arrangements are made for the pope's body to lie in state. Only after this will a pope be buried. In recent centuries, most popes have chosen to be buried beneath St. Peter's Basilica. Following the funeral, the coffin –which is lined with lead and can weigh around half-a-tonne – is carried through the 'door of death' on the left side of the main altar in the basilica. A single bell is then tolled.