Pope Francis Has Died: What Happens Next for the Catholic Church?

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - Given our roots and our history, South Louisiana is a deeply Catholic region of the country, and when a pope dies, we tend to take notice.

With the passing of Pope Francis, 88, on Monday morning, the Catholic Church enters one of its most solemn and symbolic phases—a time steeped in history, ritual, and sacred tradition. The process may seem mysterious from the outside, but it’s actually a carefully ordered sequence that ensures the Church remains stable and spiritually guided while the world waits for those historic white wisps of smoke to appear above the Sistine Chapel.

READ MORE: Pope Francis Has Died at Age 88, Vatican Says

Let’s break it down in plain terms: What exactly happens when the Chair of St. Peter becomes vacant, and how does the Church decide who sits in it next?

Step One: The Chair is Vacant—Literally

The moment a pope dies, the Church officially enters a period called sede vacante, which means “the seat is vacant.” During this time, the Camerlengo, a senior Vatican official, temporarily takes the reins—not as pope, but as administrator.

His job is to verify the pope’s death (a process once involving a ceremonial silver hammer and the pope’s baptismal name) and kickstart the transition. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, one of his most important tasks is the ceremonial destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring, which ends the pope’s official authority and prevents any fraudulent use of his seal after death.

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The Mourning Begins: The Novemdiales

Next comes nine days of mourning, called the Novemdiales. During this period, the deceased pope’s body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration. Catholic faithful from around the world gather to pay their respects while daily Masses are celebrated in his honor.

Typically around the fifth or sixth day, the pope’s funeral is held, often with global heads of state and religious leaders in attendance. The late pontiff is usually laid to rest beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, unless he made other personal requests.

How a New Pope is Elected: The Conclave

Once mourning is complete, the Church turns to choosing its next leader. That process is handled exclusively by the College of Cardinals—but only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote.

This secretive gathering is called the conclave, and it literally means “with a key.” The cardinals are locked away in Vatican housing and cast their votes inside the Sistine Chapel under the gaze of Michelangelo’s Last Judgment fresco.

Voting is done in rounds. A candidate must receive two-thirds of the votes to be declared the new pope. After each vote, ballots are burned. If the smoke is black, no decision. If it’s white, the Church declares "Habemus Papam", which means we have a new pope.

And to make things unmistakably clear, the bells of St. Peter’s ring out when a successful vote has taken place.

From Election to Introduction: “We Have a Pope”

Once a cardinal accepts the role, he becomes pope on the spot. He then chooses a papal name and changes into the traditional white vestments in a nearby chamber known as the Room of Tears.

A few moments later, the world gets the moment it’s been waiting for: the new pope emerges onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Cardinal Protodeacon proclaims:

"We have a pope: His Eminence Cardinal [Name], who will be known as [Papal Name].”

The new pope then offers his first blessing to the city and the world—Urbi et Orbi—and just like that, the next chapter of the Church begins.

A Process Rooted in Tradition—but Still Changing

While the core elements remain sacred and unchanged, modern popes have added a few wrinkles to the process. Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013 was the first in nearly 600 years and prompted new rules around papal retirement. Pope Francis has also made adjustments to conclave timelines and voting procedures, showing that the Church is still adapting without sacrificing its traditions.

This isn’t just a moment for Catholics—it’s a global event that commands the attention of millions. For believers, it’s a time of prayer and transition. For the rest of the world, it’s a moment of quiet suspense as the Church prepares to reveal its new shepherd.

And yes, while the traditions may feel ancient and otherworldly, they serve a purpose. They remind the world that faith—real faith—isn’t run like a business or dictated by polls. It’s governed by ceremony, conviction, and a prayerful search for the person chosen to lead over a billion souls.

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So the next time you see white smoke rising from a tiny chimney in Vatican City, you’ll know exactly what it means—and just how much history is behind it. "Habemus Papam!" isn’t just an announcement. It’s a passing of the torch, a continuation of something bigger than any one man.