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The death of a Pope sets a chain of events in motion—traditions that mark the moments from the Pope’s passing and his funeral to the start of the conclave and the election of his successor.
But what actually goes on in the Vatican during this Sede Vacante or “Vacant See”?
The term "Sede Vacante" (Vacant See, in Latin) refers to the period between the end of a Pope's governance of the Church and the election of his successor.
This period is regulated by the Apostolic Constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis", issued by Pope St John Paul II on 22 February 1996.
The Chamberlain (Camerlengo) of the Holy Roman Church ascertains the Pope’s death in the presence of the Papal Master of Ceremonies and a number of other members of the Papal Household. He notifies the Cardinal Vicar for Rome who in turn notifies the people of Rome. The Chamberlain seals the Pope’s apartments and begins to make arrangements for the burial. It is the Dean’s responsibility to inform all the cardinals, the Diplomatic Corps and heads of state. Photographs or film of the Pope either on his sickbed or after death are not permitted. If the deceased Pope has made a will and has named an executor, that executor will give an account of his activities only to the new Pope.
Nine days of official mourning are declared and burial takes place between the fourth and sixth day after death (except for special reasons). Popes are usually buried in St Peter’s Basilica, where the body will have lain in State for people to pay their respects, although Pope Francis had chosen to be buried in the Basilica of St Mary Major, the largest Marian church in Rome and one of four major papal basilicas. The church is the resting place of seven popes, the last being Clement IX in 1669.
According its provisions, during the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the governance of the Church is entrusted to the College of Cardinals. However, their authority is limited to handling only ordinary or urgent matters and preparing for the election of the new Pope.
The College of Cardinals also assumes all the civil powers of the Supreme Pontiff regarding the Government of Vatican City.
However, they do not have jurisdiction over matters that were exclusively the Pope’s prerogative during his lifetime.
Upon the death of the Pope, all Heads of Dicasteries of the Roman Curia resign with some exceptions aimed at maintaining the regular operations of the Vatican.
Those who maintain their duties include: the Cardinal Camerlengo (Cardinal Kevin Farrell), who has the task of overseeing and administering the temporal goods and rights of the Apostolic See during the time of its vacancy; the Major Penitentiary (Cardinal Angelo De Donatis); the Cardinal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome (Cardinal Baldassare Reina); the Cardinal Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica and Vicar General for Vatican City (Cardinal Mauro Gambetti); the Almoner of His Holiness (Cardinal Konrad Krajewski); the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State (Archishop Edgar Peña Parra); the Secretary for Relations with States (Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher); and, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations (Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli)
Also, the Secretaries of the Dicasteries remain in place.
During the Sede Vacante, the College of Cardinals (who all convene in Rome, except in cases of health-related impediments) meets in two types of Cardinal Congregations:
1. General Congregations: These include the entire College of Cardinals (including those over the age limit for electing the new Pope). These General Congregations are held in the Apostolic Palace and are presided over by the Dean of the College (Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re). If the Dean and the Sub-Dean are unable to preside, the senior Cardinal elector takes over.
2. Particular Congregations: These are composed of:
- The Cardinal Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church and three Cardinals, one from each Order (Bishops, Priests, and Deacons), chosen by lot from among the Cardinal electors;
- These three assisting Cardinals serve for three days, after which they are replaced through a new random selection. This process continues even during the election;
- The Particular Congregation handles daily ordinary affairs, while more serious matters must be referred to the General Congregation.
The General Congregations (held before the start of the election process) must promptly deliberate on the following key decisions (excluding procedures related to the Pope's death):
- Prepare accommodations at the Domus Sanctae Marthae for the Cardinals and set up the Sistine Chapel for the election procedures;
- Assign two distinguished and morally authoritative ecclesiastics the task of delivering two reflections to the Cardinals on the current challenges of the Church and the enlightened choice of the new Pope, and set the date for these reflections;
- Destroy the Fisherman’s Ring and the Lead Seal, which were used to authenticate Apostolic Letters;
- Establish the date and time for the start of the voting process.
The election is preceded by a solemn Eucharistic celebration with the votive Mass Pro Eligendo Papa, attended by the Cardinal electors. In the afternoon, the Cardinal electors proceed in a solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel, where the Conclave begins to elect the new Pope.
At the end of the procession inside the Sistine Chapel, each Cardinal elector takes the oath as prescribed in paragraph 53 of Universi Dominici Gregis. Through this oath, they commit, if elected, to faithfully fulfill the Munus Petrinum as Pastor of the Universal Church. They also pledge to maintain absolute secrecy regarding everything related to the election of the Roman Pontiff and to refrain from supporting any attempts of external interference in the election.
At this point, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations proclaims extra omnes, meaning that all individuals who are not part of the Conclave must leave the Sistine Chapel. Only the Master himself and the ecclesiastic designated to deliver the second meditation remain. This meditation focuses on the grave responsibility that rests upon the electors and the necessity of acting with pure intentions for the good of the Universal Church, keeping only God before their eyes (paragraph 52).
Once the meditation is delivered, both the ecclesiastic and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations leave. The Cardinal electors then recite prayers according to the Ordo Sacrorum Rituum Conclavis and listen to the Cardinal Dean, who asks whether they are ready to proceed with voting or if any clarifications regarding the rules and procedures outlined in Universi Dominici Gregis are needed.
All election procedures take place exclusively in the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican Apostolic Palace, which remains completely sealed off until the election is concluded.
The Apostolic Constitution of Pope St John Paul II emphasizes the need to ensure complete secrecy regarding everything happening during the Conclave and anything directly or indirectly related to the election of the Pope. The document details all the precautions to guarantee confidentiality and prevent external interference (paragraphs 51-61).
Throughout the election process, the Cardinal electors must refrain from sending letters or engaging in conversations, including phone calls, except in cases of extreme urgency. They are not allowed to send or receive messages of any kind, receive newspapers or magazines of any nature, or follow radio or television broadcasts.
To validly elect a new Pope, a two-thirds majority of the electors present is required. If the total number of electors is not evenly divisible by three, an additional vote is necessary (paragraph 62 of Universi Dominici Gregis).
If voting begins on the afternoon of the first day, there will be only one ballot. On subsequent days, two ballots are held in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The procedures for voting are detailed in Universi Dominici Gregis, including provisions for electors who are unwell and need to vote from their rooms at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. After the votes are counted, all ballots are burned.
If the electors fail to reach an agreement on a candidate after three days of inconclusive voting, a break of up to one day is allowed for prayer, free discussion among voters, and a brief spiritual exhortation by the Cardinal Proto-Deacon (Cardinal Dominique Mamberti).
Voting then resumes, and if no election occurs after seven additional ballots, another break is taken.
This process repeats after another seven unsuccessful ballots. At this point, the Camerlengo will consult with the Cardinals on how to proceed.
It is important to note that article 75 of Universi Dominici Gregis was modified by the Motu Proprio issued by Pope Benedict XVI on June 26, 2007, which restored the traditional rule requiring a two-thirds majority of the electors present for a valid election of the new Pontiff. This rule was also confirmed in the Motu Proprio issued by Pope Benedict XVI on 25 February 2013, which specified that the votes must be calculated on the basis of the electors present and voting.
Once the election has taken place, the last of the Cardinal Deacons calls the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations into the Sistine Chapel.
The Dean of the College, on behalf of all the electors, asks for the elected candidate’s consent with the following words: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
Upon receiving consent, he then asks: “What name do you wish to be called?”
The functions of a notary, with two Ceremonial Officers as witnesses, are carried out by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, who drafts the document of acceptance and records the chosen name.
From this moment, the elected candidate acquires full and supreme authority over the universal Church. The Conclave ends immediately at this point.
The Cardinal electors then pay homage and pledge obedience to the newly elected Pope, and thanks are given to God.
The Cardinal Proto-Deacon then announces to the faithful the election and the name of the new Pontiff with the famous line: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; Habemus Papam” (I announce to you a great joy: we have a Pope).
Immediately afterward, the new Pope gives the Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi from the Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica. (UDG pp. 87-91)
The final step required is that, after the solemn inauguration ceremony of the Pontificate and within a suitable time, the new Pope formally takes possession of the Patriarchal Archbasilica of St John Lateran, according to the prescribed rite.
Sources: Vatican News; CBCEW
