In his will, the Pope requests a "simple, undecorated tomb in the ground."

BarcelonaWith the death of Pope Francis his vacancy begins, the transition period during which the machinery for selecting a new pontiff is set in motion. His funeral will be held this Saturday, the Vatican announced this morning.

His will reads: "Hearing that the end of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope for eternal life, I wish to express my will only regarding the place of my burial. I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Noah. May my mortal remains rest while awaiting Holy Day."

What are Francis's last wishes?

The steps for organizing Pope Francis' funeral ritual were modified by the pontiff himself in the official document of the Holy See that governs the funerals of popes, thePontifical Ordo exsequiarum romanis, on April 29, 2024. The Vatican made public this Monday the Pope's will, in which he leaves written his wish to be buried in a chapel in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and in a simpler tomb. "I request that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel [Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani] and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned papal basilica, as indicated in the attached document. The tomb must be on the ground and must be simple, without decoration and with a single."

The document, dated June 29, 2022, was made public after the pontiff's body was transferred to the chapel of his residence in Casa Santa Marta: "I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian shrine where I went to pray my intentions to the Immaculate Mother at the rock prayers and to thank her for her docile and maternal care." The Pope also indicates that the expenses for the preparation of the burial should be covered by the benefactor he has provided. "May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me." This is how Francis concludes his last wishes.

What will the funeral be like?

Although from now on all steps follow an ancient liturgy, the transfer of Pope Francis's body will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, when details will be announced after the first Congregation of Cardinals, according to the Holy See. The pontiff's body could be transferred to the Vatican Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, where it will lie in state with the coffin open and will not be displayed on a catafalque. Last November, Pope Francis requested that the ritual of papal funerals be simplified for his ceremony. The pontiff eliminated, among other things, the tradition of three coffins of cypress, lead, and oak (the triple burial) and requested to be buried in a wooden coffin with zinc. He also eliminated the catafalque, the papal crosier, and titles other than bishop and pope.

Pope Francis will be buried in Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, as he requested, and not in the Vatican grottoes of St. Peter's Basilica, as is customary for pontiffs. Mexican N+ in 2023, Jorge Mario Bergoglio explained that his burial site had already been prepared and that he had chosen the temple because of his "great devotion" to the Virgin. The liturgical book that gives instructions for papal funerals details that Masses will be celebrated for nine consecutive days after the death of pontiffs.

How does the conclave work?

The so-called "princes of the Church," the 134 currently existing voting cardinals, will participate in the conclave, always shrouded in mysticism and mystery fostered by the extensive filmography and bibliography on the subject. They will all travel to Rome, and one will be elected head of the Church. The date it will begin is yet to be determined: according to the norm, it must begin between 15 and 20 days after the death of the pontiff.

These cardinals are archbishops of large dioceses around the world and heads of dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the central governing body of the Catholic Church. The College of Cardinals is made up of 252 cardinals, but only 134 have the right to vote in the conclave because they are under 80 years old. However, any cardinal is a potential candidate for the papacy.

The conclave will begin with an opening Mass. The cardinals will then close themselves in the Sistine Chapel, where they will vote secretly and repeatedly until one candidate obtains two-thirds of the votes in favor. These votes last an average of four to five days.

In the 13th century, it was established that the cardinals, the only possible electors of the pontiff, had to be locked away in order to vote for the new pope, which gave rise to the word conclave (from Latincum key, which means "with a key"). They are prohibited from any type of communication with the outside world to ensure that they vote without any political influence that could influence their vote. If anyone breaks the silence, they are excommunicated.

The secrecy of the vote

During the conclave, each cardinal will write their vote by hand on a piece of paper, fold it in half, and place it in a ballot box when called. Cardinal scrutineers will read the names and pierce the ballots with needle and thread. The progress of the process will be communicated to the outside world through smoke signals. The world now has a new leader of Catholicism.

Francis's successor will not be revealed immediately. Once the new pontiff accepts the office, he will choose his name and don the papal chasuble. The papal tailor has different sizes ready and will make the final adjustments.

After about 40 minutes to an hour, the cardinal camerlengo will proclaim: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus papam", which means: "I announce to you great joy, we have a Pope." Shortly after, the new Pope will step out onto the balcony in Sant Pere Square and give his blessing. urbi et orbi, which is for the city and for the world.

From that moment on, the Pope will have full powers as leader of the Catholic Church. A few days later, a mass will be held to commemorate his inauguration.

Francis was the 266th pope of the Catholic Church. He was chosen in 2013, after the Benedict XVI's resignationHis election marked a historic moment, because he was the first pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit.