Pope Francis dead at 88 — what happens now?

Pope Francis’ passing will initiate the Catholic Church’s intricate and time-honored process for selecting a new pontiff.

The Vatican has established laws and customs that will come into play in the upcoming weeks to ensure the smooth transfer of power to the new pope after the passing of the previous one.

From the period of mourning to the conclave vote and the burning of the ballots, here is what to anticipate in the replacement of the leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide:

Sede vacante: The seat is vacant

The church now enters a period known as “sede vacante” — a Latin phrase that translates to “empty seat” or “vacant seat” — when the Throne of Saint Peter is unoccupied.

Traditionally, this period can last several weeks as Pope Francis’ body lies in state, his funeral is held, and the Vatican prepares for the closed-door meeting to elect his successor.

During this time, the College of Cardinals will temporarily take over and assume limited powers — led by the camerlengo, or chamberlain.

Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is the church’s current camerlengo, will now be in charge of running the administration and finances of the Holy See — otherwise known as the Catholic church’s government.

Cardinal Farrell will also oversee certifying Francis’ death, sealing the papal apartments, and preparing for his burial.

Major decision-making in relation to the Vatican will be put on hold.

The Conclave

Under the Vatican’s procedures, a “conclave” — a meeting where cardinals vote on the next pontiff — must start within 15 to 20 days after Pope Francis’ passing.

The meeting will occur in the Sistine Chapel, the renowned hall within the Vatican adorned with Michelangelo’s paintings, where cardinals will take an oath of secrecy before sealing the doors.

Once the conclave commences, the cardinals will not be allowed to leave the Vatican until they have selected a new pope.

They will reside in the Casa Santa Marta hotel inside the Vatican grounds and will not have access to phones, the internet, or newspapers.

Only 138 of the 253 cardinals will serve as electors in the conclave — an increase from the previous limit of 120 — and no cardinals over the age of 80 can participate in voting.

White smoke or black?

The cardinals will conduct two daily ballot sessions until one candidate secures more than two-thirds of the vote.

They will cast their secret ballots by reciting a prayer and then placing their vote cards in a large gold chalice. The cards bear the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” — meaning “I choose as Supreme Pontiff” — on them.

In the past, large crowds have gathered in St. Peter’s Square during the voting sessions to monitor the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.

If a majority is not achieved, the ballot cards are placed in a stove and burned with an additive that produces black smoke, indicating to the outside world that a pope has not yet been selected.

The sessions will be halted for a day if a majority is not reached within three days. The process will then resume in the same manner until a new pope is chosen.

We have a pope!

Once a majority vote is finally reached, the secret ballots are burned with an additive that will produce white smoke.

Behind closed doors, the new pope is asked if he accepts the position and what name he wishes to adopt.

He will then sit on a throne inside the chapel as the other cardinals approach one by one to pledge obedience to the new pontiff.

Shortly after, the senior cardinal deacon will emerge on the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to announce the identity of the church’s next leader.

Pope Francis’ successor will then appear on the balcony to deliver his inaugural address and bestow blessings upon the crowds below.

With Post wires