After the death of the pope, the Cardinal Camerlengo takes over the day-to-day affairs of the Vatican, and the rules, among other things, stipulate a nine-day mourning period and a deadline for organizing a conclave to elect a new pope, which must begin no earlier than 15 and no later than 20 days after the death of the previous one.
The camerlegno or chamberlain acts as an "interim" head and is responsible for governing the Church until the election of a new pope, but with significantly reduced powers.
The duty of day-to-day management of the Holy See after the death of Pope Francis was taken over by Irish Cardinal Kevin Farrell (77), Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, who was appointed Camerlengo in 2019.
After the Pope's death, all the highest officials of the church "government", that is, the Roman Curia, must resign from their positions. The Kamerlengo is the only one who remains in office to manage the daily affairs of the Church.
The word "camerlengo" is derived from the Italian word "camera", which means room. He is responsible for the management of the Vatican, but he cannot make any decision whose validity would exceed the period of vacancy of the seat of St. Peter or encroach on the exclusive prerogatives of the Pope, such as the appointment of cardinals.
It is the camerlegno or chamberlain of the Sacred College of Cardinals who is responsible for announcing the news of a pope's death. Until Pius XII, who died in 1958, the death of a head of the Catholic Church was confirmed by a blow to his forehead with a small silver hammer, to assure everyone that he was truly dead.
The camerlegno symbolically and temporarily takes over the papal properties, the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, the Lateran Palace, the seat of the Diocese of Rome in which the Pope is traditionally the bishop, and the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
He convenes meetings of cardinals, called "congregations", and together with them decides on the day and time of the exposition of the remains of the deceased pope, as well as the date of his burial, which must take place between four and six days after his death. This also determines the start date of the conclave, which will elect the new pope, and it must begin no earlier than 15 and no later than 20 days after the death of the pope.
The funeral must take place in St. Peter's Basilica, unless otherwise specified in his will. This is exactly what Francis did, and in his will he wished to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, and not in the Vatican.
Pope Francis wanted to simplify his funeral and planned a quicker ceremony and burial in a simple coffin in bare earth.
Photo: EPA/VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT
