Stage 1: Confirmation of Death

Those at the Vatican confirm that the pope has passed away. Traditionally, they will call the pope’s baptismal name three times in a ceremony to confirm he has passed.

Pope Francis’s death was confirmed the morning of Monday, April 21, 2025.

Stage 2: Official Notification and Novemdiales

The pope’s death is officially announced to the world, beginning the period of funeral preparations. During this time, we typically enter into Novemdiales with nine days observed as a period of mourning for the pope. However, Rome has chosen to observe these nine days beginning with Pope Francis’s funeral.

Stage 3: Sede Vacante (The Seat is Vacant)

This period is the official time in which the seat of the pope is vacant. During this time, all major decisions such as canonizations are placed on hold. The College of Cardinals hold the responsibility for the care of the Church in this period.

Upon Pope Francis’s passing, the seat of the pope became vacant. Canonizations such as for Blessed Carlo Acutis are on hold until a new pope is elected.

Stage 4: Funeral and Burial  

Between the death and the funeral, the body lies in state in Rome so that the public may visit and pay their respects. Within the week of his death, the pope will have a funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square. After the funeral, the pope’s body is typically buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  

However, Pope Francis made a specific request to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of Saint Mary Major) in Rome. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, 2025, and he was buried as per his request following the Mass.

Stage 5: General Congregation

Between the funeral and the beginning of the conclave, all of the cardinals who are younger than 80 years old spend time with each other in prayer, reflection, and fellowship. It is at this time that the cardinals able to participate in the upcoming conclave are able to interact with each other, speak on various topics, and begin to develop opinions on who they may wish to elect as pope.

We are currently in this stage, which will end on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Stage 6: Conclave

Typically, around two to three weeks after the pope’s death the General Congregation ends, and all participating cardinals gather at the Sistine Chapel for what is known as a conclave. It is here that they present nominations, prayerfully consider, discern, and elect a new pope. This process is not completed through verbal interaction or conversation, and all act under secrecy throughout this stage.  

The conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Stage 7: Election of a New Pope

The election of a new pope happens when the participating cardinals have reached a two-thirds majority on who they believe is called to be the next pope. Smoke is released from the chimney at St. Peter’s Basilica up to four times each day. Black smoke indicates the majority has not been reached by their votes and white smoke indicates that a new pope has been selected.

A new pope is official when it is announced publicly. This first occurs when his given name and his new papal name are announced from the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica along with the words “habemus papam” which translates to “we have a pope.”