Farewell to Pope Francis, the pontiff who came “from the end of the world”. But what is happening now and what are the possible repercussions on the Jubilee 2025? In fact, the celebrations are not cancelled. The Jubilee, in fact, continues under the supervision of the College of Cardinals and Camerlengo, which manages the vacant seat. After the Pope's funeral (which lasts about 9 days), the Conclave. The cardinal electors gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose the new Pope. During these days, all attention shifts to San Pietro. Public Jubilee events are reduced, rescheduled or postponed.
It is not, therefore, a real suspension of the Jubilee, but rather its temporary reorganization. Pilgrims continue to arrive in Rome, where the election of Peter's new successor becomes the spiritual heart of the Jubilee Year.
What Happens When a Pope Dies? The Role of the Camerlengo
Il Camerlengo is the person who is charged with managing the Church until the election of the new Pope, with significantly reduced and especially administrative powers. For this position, in 2019, the Irish cardinal was chosen kevin farrel, prefect of the dicastery (ministry) for the laity, the family and life.
As in the past, therefore, the vacancy of the Apostolic See is regulated by the constitution Dominici Gregis Universes di John Paul II and from Motu Proprio di Benedict XVI Normas Nonnulls of 2013. On the funeral, Francis in 2024 approved a new edition of theOrdo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis approved in 1998 by John Paul II and published in 2000, used in the funeral of Karol Wojtyla in 2005 and, with adaptations, in that of Joseph Ratzinger in 2023.
After the death of a Pope in office, the council of cardinals establishes the day and time in which the body of the Pontiff will be brought to the Vatican Basilica to be exposed to the homage of the faithful and prepares everything necessary for the funeral, after which the "novendiali" will begin, that is, the masses in suffrage for the Pope celebrated for nine consecutive days. In the ritual established by Francis, the following are reported four – and no longer three – prayer forms of your choice, taking up all those offered by the Roman Missal for the Pope and for the deceased diocesan bishop.
Death of a Pope: the innovations introduced by Bergoglio
Among news introduced by Jorge Bergoglio there is the declaration of death which no longer takes place in the deceased's room but in the chapel; the immediate deposition in the coffin; the exposure of the Pope's body to the veneration of the faithful already in the open coffin; the elimination of the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead and oak. A single wooden coffin is used with the internal one of zinc, before transferring the coffin to the Basilica.
Pope Francis wanted to simplify and adapt some rites to highlight that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a shepherd and not of a powerful. Bergoglio's body will be taken to the Chapel of Santa Marta.
Pope Francis to Rest in Santa Maria Maggiore
The three classic “stations” are maintained: in the deceased’s house, in the Vatican Basilica and at the burial site. In an interview with the dean of the Vatican press office Valentina Alazaraki, Francis revealed his choice to be buried outside the Vatican walls, in Santa Maria Maggiore (instead of in the Vatican Grottoes) for the special devotion reserved for the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, also known as the Madonna of the Romans, housed in the Basilica. The first translation to the Apostolic Palace is eliminated. Since the deposition in the coffin occurs after the confirmation of death, the evening before the funeral Mass it is closed. In the Vatican Basilica the body of the Pope is exposed directly in the coffin and no longer on a bier and the papal pastoral staff will not be placed next to the coffin.
As for the next steps, in Motu Proprio of June 11, 2007, Benedict XVI ordered that, from the moment in which the Apostolic See is legitimately vacant, "the absentees must be waited for fifteen full days before beginning the Conclave". To the College of Cardinals Joseph Ratzinger left the faculty to anticipate the beginning of the Conclave "if it is established that all the Cardinal electors are present, as well as the faculty to extend, if there are serious reasons, the beginning of the election for a few more days". However, once this period has passed, at most, twenty days from the beginning of the Sede Vacante, all Cardinal electors present are required to proceed with the election.
The Conclave in the Sistine Chapel
From the moment the election operations were ordered to begin, until the public announcement of the election of the new Pope, the premises of the House of St. Martha, as well as the Sistine Chapel and the spaces intended for liturgical celebrations, they will have to be closed, under the authority of the Cardinal Camerlengo and with the external collaboration of the Deputy Chamberlain and the Substitute of the Secretary of State, to unauthorized persons.
The entire territory of the Vatican City and also the ordinary activity of the Offices located within its ambit must be regulated, so as to ensure the confidentiality and free conduct of all operations connected with the election of the Supreme Pontiff. It must be ensured, also with the help of the Cleric Prelates of the Chamber, that the cardinal electors are not approached by anyone during the journey from Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace.
Conclave: What's happening?
Before the beginning of the election operations, the voters are obliged to swear to observe the perpetual absolute secret with anyone who is not part of the Conclave. On the day established for the beginning of the Conclave all the cardinals will take part in the votive mass in St. Peter's Basilica for electing Pope. From the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, where they will have gathered in the afternoon, the Cardinal electors in choir dress will go in procession to the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, for the election to take place. The methods of election referred to above are abolished. acclamationem your inspiration and for compromise, the form of election of the Roman Pontiff was chosen by Benedict XVI for scrutinyFor the validity of the election, at least two-thirds of the votes are required, based on the electors present and voting.
Once the election has taken place, the last of the Cardinal Deacons calls into the election hall the Secretary of the College of Cardinals, the Master of Liturgical Celebrations and two Masters of Ceremonies; then, the Dean, or the first of the Cardinals in order and seniority, on behalf of the entire College of Electors. asks for the consent of the elected with the following words: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”. And as soon as he has received the consent, he asks: “What do you wish to be called?”. The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, acting as notary and having as witnesses two masters of ceremonies, draw up a document on the acceptance of the new Pontiff and the assumed name. Following, in a St. Peter's Square packed with faithful, the white smoke with the announcement in Latin: “Let's have papam".
Conclave in the Dark: The Race for Succession
As of April 21, 2025, the cardinal electors are 135, in fact even if Paul VI had set a maximum limit of 120 electors, this threshold has been exceeded several times. For the election of the new Pontiff a majority qualified of two thirds of the votes cast. With 135 voters, that means that a candidate must obtain at least 90 votes to be elected Pope. This rule applies to all ballots, without exception. During the Conclave, up to four ballots may be held each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. After each vote, the ballots are burned in a special stove: the black smoke indicates that a new Pope has not yet been elected, while the white smoke announces the election. If after 33 ballots if the election is not achieved, a run-off is held between the two cardinals who obtained the greatest number of votes in the last ballot. Even at this stage, a two-thirds majority is required for election, and the two candidates in the run-off will not be able to vote.
Conclave: Who could be the new Pope?
For the Conclave, some cardinals emerge among the most popular candidates for the succession of Pope Francis. Here are the names:
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Who)
Filipino, former archbishop of Manila and Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Close to the progressive line of Francis, he is known for his charisma and attention to the poor. - Cardinal Pietro Parolin
The current Vatican Secretary of State, he is an experienced diplomat and one of the most influential figures in the Holy See. His election would guarantee stability and continuity in the Church's politics. - Cardinal Peter Erdő
Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, theologian and jurist, he was president of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences. His election could represent a point of balance between innovation and tradition. - Cardinal Robert Sarah
Originally from Guinea and former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, he is an exponent of the most conservative wing of the Church, a supporter of a more traditionalist vision. - Cardinal Gerhard Müller
German and former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he is known for his defense of traditional Catholic doctrine and his criticisms of some openings promoted by Francis.
Jubilee 2025: What Happens Now?
Following the death of Francis in the Jubilee year (which had never happened before in recent history), many are wondering what this coincidence implies. First of all, the Jubilee is not suspended in its entirety: it may happen that some celebrations are temporarily blocked or postponed as a sign of respect, while others, perhaps urgent such as the opening of the Holy Door, could be maintained. Or even adapted to the new context. In fact, it must be said that the new Pontiff could modify or confirm the celebrations already scheduled, as well as directing the future path of the Church. The Conclave is therefore announced as a crucial moment, with the delicate balance between innovation e seeds in play.
