When the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics passes on, the world pauses. Television networks switch to rolling coverage, flags are flown at half-mast, and the majestic bells of St. Peter’s Basilica ring out in slow, mournful tolls. Yet behind the public mourning lies a tapestry of ritual, symbolism, and sacred tradition—carefully preserved for over 2,000 years.
Such is the case today, Easter Monday, as the world bids farewell to Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. For many, this marks the first time witnessing the elaborate rites surrounding a Pope’s death and the mysterious inner workings of selecting his successor.
The Three Coffins: A Testament of Faith, Humility and Legacy
The burial of a Pope is no ordinary ceremony. It is an intricate, multi-layered ritual steeped in symbolism and spiritual meaning. Unique among world leaders, a Pope is buried in three coffins, each crafted from a different material—cypress, lead, and elm—each bearing a distinct message.
The Cypress Coffin: Symbol of Mortality and Simplicity
The innermost coffin, made of humble cypress wood, cradles the Pope’s body. Alongside it are placed three velvet bags containing coins—silver, gold, and copper—each representing the number of years he served as Pontiff. A copy of his funeral eulogy is also included, a final echo of his voice to the world.
Cypress, a wood long associated with mourning, speaks to the humility of the papal office. In death, the Pope is reminded—and reminds the faithful—that he, too, is mortal. Before being sealed, this coffin is bound with three silk ribbons.
The Lead Coffin: Guardian of the Pope’s Legacy
Next, the cypress coffin is placed into a heavier, lead coffin—soldered shut to ensure its preservation through the centuries. This coffin bears the Pope’s name, his papal reign, and the skull and crossbones—a sobering symbol known as memento mori (Latin for “remember you must die”).
Inside, significant documents issued during his pontificate are preserved, along with the broken papal seal—shattered by the Camerlengo to signify the end of his earthly rule. This coffin is both tomb and time capsule, preserving history for generations to come.
The Elm Coffin: A Cloak of Papal Dignity
Finally, the lead coffin is encased in a regal elm coffin, fastened with golden nails. Elm, one of Rome’s most prized woods, is chosen to reflect the dignity and spiritual weight of the papacy. A bishop reads aloud the Pope’s achievements before placing a parchment listing them inside a copper tube within the coffin. It is then bound with violet silk cords and sealed with wax imprints bearing the coats of arms of the Chamberlain and Cardinal Dean.
This age-old custom ensures not just the sanctity of burial, but the safeguarding of history. Thanks to these rituals, invaluable papal documents have survived for centuries.
Death of a Pope: The Silence, the Ritual, the Mourning
With the passing of a Pope, an ancient rhythm unfolds in the Vatican—a choreography of tradition that is at once solemn and transcendent. At the moment of death, a Cardinal known as the Camerlengo is summoned to officially pronounce the Pope deceased. He calls the Pope’s baptismal name three times—in this case, “Jorge, Jorge, Jorge.” When silence answers back, the end of an era is declared.
Then comes a gesture both symbolic and poignant: the destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring, a unique signet worn by the Pope and used to seal official documents. It is usually hammered or cut—a powerful visual that the Pope’s reign has ended and no one else may act in his name.
The Vatican then enters a period known as Sede Vacante—“the empty seat.” The papal apartments are sealed. The Swiss Guards, in their colorful Renaissance uniforms, double their watch. A nine-day mourning period known as novendiale begins. During this time, solemn Masses are held and thousands of faithful pass reverently before the Pope’s bier in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Conclave: Choosing the Next Shepherd
But while the city of Rome is shrouded in purple and black, the machinery of the Church continues. The Church of Christ must not falter. After all, as the faithful believe, the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Thus begins the Conclave—a centuries-old process by which the Cardinals of the Church elect a new Pope. Held typically between 15 and 20 days after the Pope’s death, the Conclave takes place within the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel. There, beneath Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment,” 120 Cardinals under the age of 80 gather in solemn procession. Clad in crimson, they chant Veni Creator Spiritus—inviting the Holy Spirit to guide them.
When the call “Extra omnes!” rings out, meaning “everyone out,” the doors are closed. The world is shut out. The Conclave begins.
Each Cardinal writes the name of his chosen successor on a paper ballot and deposits it in a chalice, swearing that he votes according to conscience and the will of God. After each voting round—known as a scrutiny—the ballots are burned in a special stove. Chemicals are added: black smoke if no decision has been reached; white smoke if a new Pope has been elected.
In St. Peter’s Square, crowds stare heavenward, breath held with each wisp of smoke. Murmurs rise, eyes widen—has the world just witnessed the birth of a new papacy?
“Habemus Papam”!: How The World Meets The New Pope
When a Cardinal finally receives two-thirds of the vote, a bell rings. He is taken aside and asked the historic question: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
If he consents, he is asked to choose a new name—a tradition dating back to the 6th century. Thus, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis. Joseph Ratzinger became Benedict XVI. Karol Józef Wojtyła became John Paul II.
Immediately, he is dressed in papal white—tailors prepare robes in three sizes just in case. The new Pope returns to the chapel, where the Cardinals one by one kiss his ring in homage. Then he is led to the famed balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
A cardinal steps forward and utters the timeless words: “Habemus Papam!”—”We have a Pope!” The crowd erupts. A new chapter begins.
A Living Tradition Of 2000 Years
The death and election of a Pope is not just a transition of power; it is a moment when the ancient and the spiritual collide in dramatic and sacred beauty. From the silent sealing of a papal apartment to the thunderous applause that greets a new Pontiff, every step is steeped in meaning.
These rituals remind the world that while Popes may pass, the Church endures—guided by centuries of tradition, faith, and an unwavering belief in the divine.
-ParrotReporters
