
For the first time since the death of John Paul II on April 2, 2005, a Pope died while he is in office. But there is no risk that formalities are forests: in the Vatican, the protocol is the king. Consequently, the days after Francis’s death in the Vatican on Monday, April 21 at 7:35 am, It will organize meticulously, without leaving room for improvisation.
The last important update of the protocol to follow after the death of a Pontiff dates back to the Constitution about the vacancy of the Apostolic Headquarters, completed under the pontificate of John Paul II in 1996. This text was marginally modified by two apostolic letters written by Benedict XVI in 2007 and 2013, which will be put into practice during the first half during the next few days. First, the curia will be busy dealing with the funeral of the deceased Pope before directing his attention to the entire community of the faithful and his future when choosing his successor.
The death of the Pontiff launches a nine -day mourning period. The Camerlengo, a kind of administrator of temporary goods and urgent financial matters, doors of the SEE vacancy, a position maintained by the Irish cardinal Kevin Farrell since 2019, will have the great responsibility to supervise the course of the events. The official confirms the death of the Pope and seals his room before informing Vicar Cardinal of Rome, who is responsible for notifying the rest of the world.
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