Shillong: Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Roman Catholics worldwide, has died on Monday at the age of 88, marking the end of a 12-year papacy. His passing triggers an age-old process steeped in tradition and ritual—the election of a new Pope to lead the Catholic Church.
The Role of the Pope
The Pope is the supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church and is considered the successor to Saint Peter, Christ’s chief apostle. This belief places the Pope as a central spiritual authority whose teachings guide the Church’s doctrine and practices. While the Bible remains a foundational text, Catholics often look to the Pope’s interpretations and pronouncements for clarity and guidance on moral and social issues.
Occupying a unique position not just within the Church but globally, the Pope resides in Vatican City: an independent state surrounded by Rome. Though the role comes without a salary, all expenses, including travel and residence, are covered by the Vatican.
What happens after the death of a Pope?
Traditionally, the death of a Pope leads to elaborate ceremonial procedures. However, Pope Francis himself introduced reforms aimed at simplifying these rites. While past Popes were buried in triple-layered coffins and laid on a raised platform (catafalque) in St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, Francis requested a simpler approach.
His body will remain in a zinc-lined wooden coffin with the lid removed during public viewings. Notably, he will be the first Pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican—at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, one of four major papal basilicas that hold deep spiritual significance.
Electing the next Pope
The responsibility of choosing the next Pope falls to the College of Cardinals, a group of high-ranking officials within the Church, all men and most of them bishops. Out of the current 252 cardinals, 138 are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in the conclave—the secret election held within the Sistine Chapel.
The conclave begins with a general meeting of cardinals and can last for days or even weeks. During the election, the outside world receives only one signal—smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney. Black smoke means no decision; white smoke means a new Pope has been chosen.
The Announcement and the “Habemus Papam”
Once elected, the new Pope appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. A senior cardinal makes the formal announcement with the Latin phrase “Habemus Papam”—“We have a Pope”—and reveals the Pope’s chosen name. For instance, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis in 2013, naming himself after St. Francis of Assisi to reflect his commitment to humility and service to the poor.
Who can be Pope?
Technically, any baptised Roman Catholic man is eligible for election. In practice, however, the cardinals almost always select one of their own. Historically, Italians have dominated the papacy, with 217 of the 266 popes being Italian. Pope Francis, however, broke tradition as the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas and the first non-European pontiff in over a millennium.
