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Behind the walls of the Vatican, one of the oldest and most secretive rituals in the world begins after the Pope's death
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CULTURE
Most people think a pope dies, there’s a funeral, a bit of mourning, and then it’s on to the next man. But behind the walls of the Vatican, one of the oldest and most secretive rituals in the world begins. And it has just been triggered.
Pope Francis is gone.
He passed away on Easter Monday. Now, the Vatican enters a phase it hasn’t faced in 20 years: The Papal Interregnum—the period between two popes. Here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes… and what happens next.
Pope's body lying in Basilica
The moment a pope dies, everything stops
The Papal Apartment is sealed—even though Francis never lived there. Tradition demands it. It’s the symbolic end of his reign. No turning back. A cardinal—currently Kevin Farrell—is appointed Camerlengo, the man who temporarily takes charge of the Church. He holds the keys—literally. No major decisions are made without his seal.
Current Carmalengo
Lying in State and the Novendiales
Francis’ body will lie in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica. Soon, the lines will stretch for miles—just as they did in 2005 for Pope John Paul II. And it won’t just be Catholics paying their respects. His funeral follows a nine-day mourning period called the Novendiales. By Church law, the pope must be buried between Day 4 and Day 6. True to form, Francis asked for simplicity: No gold, no grand tomb—just a humble stone engraved with Franciscus. That’s it.
Body viewing
After the funeral: The conclave begins
Then, the real process begins. Cardinals from around the world arrive in Rome. Only those under the age of 80 can vote—this time, there are 136 eligible. They’ll meet. Pray. Reflect. And prepare for the Conclave.
Inside the Sistine Chapel, the doors will lock. No phones. No media. No outside contact. Each cardinal writes a single name: Eligo in Summum Pontificem — I elect as Supreme Pontiff. They fold the ballot and drop it into a chalice.
Smokesignals the world
If no one receives a two-thirds majority, the ballots are burned with chemicals. Black smoke rises: No pope yet. But when white smoke appears, the world knows: A new pope has been chosen. 
White smoke signifies a new pope
It can take days—or even weeks. They vote up to four times a day, pausing to pray and talk between rounds, until one man receives the required votes. Then, a cardinal steps onto the balcony and declares: Habemus Papam.
“We have a pope.” Just like that, the Church has a new shepherd.
Cardinal steps out and announces a new Pope
But this time feels different
Francis didn’t live in the Apostolic Palace. He washed the feet of refugees.
He said, “Who am I to judge?”—and he took criticism for it. His successor faces big questions: Will he follow in Francis’ footsteps? Or turn back the clock? There’s also the clergy abuse crisis.
It hasn’t gone away. The next pope will be judged on how he addresses it—and the Church’s future reputation depends on it.
A global impact
This decision reaches far beyond Rome. 1.4 billion people follow the pope.
Whoever steps onto that balcony next will influence how the world sees faith, justice, tradition, and mercy. For now, all eyes are on the chimney. History is waiting on smoke. Pope Francis is gone.
No marble. No throne. Just a name in the earth: Franciscus. He left quietly. Now, 136 cardinals must decide who takes his place.
Pope Francis set a different history
The next pope will shape the future of the Church—and maybe the world.
What path will they choose? Who do you think should be the next pope?
Credit: CULTURE EXPLORER
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