A Look at the Process to Mourn the Pope

andcrs2 · Apr 2, 2005

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050402/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_days_after_death_glance_3

A Look at the Process to Mourn the Pope
Sat Apr 2, 3:37 AM ET
By The Associated Press

A look at the expected events in the days following a papal death.

DEATH: A pronouncement is made in Latin that the pope is dead and is certified by a physician. The camerlengo, or chamberlain, then calls out the pontiff's baptismal name — "Karol" for Pope John Paul II — three times in a ritual to confirm there is no response. In the past, the camerlengo struck a silver hammer against the pope's forehead to confirm his death, but it's unclear if the ritual is still active. The camerlengo then destroys the symbols of that papacy: the "Pescatorio," or Ring of the Fisherman, and the dies used to make lead seals for apostolic letters. The pope's quarters are sealed and funeral arrangements are begun by the camerlengo, the most important Vatican official until a new pope is elected. Spanish Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, 78, has been the camerlengo since 1993. Vatican flags fly at half-staff. According to tradition, the Bronze Door at St. Peter's Basilica is closed.

MOURNING PERIOD: An official nine-day mourning period, known as the "novemdiales," follows the death of a pope. The tradition dates back to ancient Rome and a ceremony held nine days after death. The pope's body lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica in the Clementine Chapel, which was begun by Michelangelo and completed by Giacomo Della Porta for the Jubilee in 1600. After the death of John Paul I in 1978, an estimated 750,000 mourners filed past the body over three days. Many more could pay homage to John Paul II.

THE FUNERAL: The funeral and burial must be held between the fourth and sixth day after death except for unspecified "special reasons," according to rules established in 1996. Weather permitting, it will be held in St. Peter's Square. Many of the world's leaders and other dignitaries are expected to attend. Also on hand will be many of the Cardinals, who will select the new pope. During one part of the Mass, the ceremonial Swiss Guards, who wear distinctive purple-gold-and-red uniforms, kneel and dip their halberds with their right hand and salute with their left.

BURIAL: Most popes in recent centuries have chosen to be buried beneath St. Peter's Basilica. After the funeral, their lead-lined coffins — which can weigh close to a half ton — were carried through the "door of death" on the left side of the main altar in the basilica. A single bell is tolled. The coffin is lowered into a marble sarcophagus and covered by a huge stone slab. The Vatican has not clarified whether Pope John Paul II seeks such a burial. There is speculation that the Polish-born pontiff could choose to be interned in Krakow's Wavel Cathedral alongside Polish royalty.

CONCLAVE: The Cardinals, the so-called "princes" of the church, gather to elect the new pope in the Sistine Chapel, whose frescoes include the famous ceiling by Michelangelo. The conclave, derived from the Latin words meaning "with a key," must begin no sooner than 15 days after the death of the pope and not more than 20. In the past, the Cardinals resided in makeshift sleeping quarters. For the next conclave, however, they will stay at St. Marthas House, a hotel-style guest facility within Vatican City. The rules of the conclave are strict: no outside contact until a pope is elected. To counter modern eavesdropping devices, technicians will sweep the ancient halls and corridors for any telltale signs of surveillance. The cardinals file into the Sistine Chapel in their blood-red robes and conduct a private Mass before the voting begins. The ballots are tied together by needle and thread and burned with chemicals to make the smoke white or black. White signals to the world that a new pontiff has been elected. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote. A conclave held now would have 117 papal electors. The election of John Paul II took two days and eight ballots.

THE NEXT POPE: John Paul II changed the rules to make a simple majority sufficient to elect a pope if no one gets the traditional two-thirds majority after 30 rounds of voting. Once a new pope is elected, he must say "Accepto," or I accept, to make it official. A senior cardinal will appear at the central window in St. Peter's Basilica and utter a sentence in Latin that ends with "Habemus papam" — "We have a pope." Then he will continue in Latin and announce the name chosen by the new pope.
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SvgGrdnBeauty · Apr 2, 2005

wow...that's really interesting...I never realized how many rules there are because of traditions and such...

Well, all I can say is, rest in peace Pope John Paul II...you've gone home...

Kharakov · Apr 3, 2005

Nice comment. Traditions and ritual show so much love, they are wonderful.

Bhaskar · Apr 4, 2005

The pope's life was remarkable. Considering the extent to which the world has changed during his time, along with opinions and perceptions of christianity and within it, he has lived truly beautifully, with grace and dignity in a difficult age. Now he has shed his body and merged with the Infinite.

mati · Apr 6, 2005

I find it interesting that Prince Charles is moving his wedding date. It would seem appropriate to have him marry on the day of the pope's funeral, historically speaking. Wasn't it Henry the 8th that split off with the Church of Rome to marry? Seems Charles situation is similar to Henrys' in more respects than one.

Faceless · Apr 6, 2005

good fucking riddance dead bastard! hahaha! let me be the first here to show my disrespect for this institution. Traditions and ritual cost money. Money that could be used to feed those starving russian miners living on under $100 a month in the cold of the arctic circle. Those same suffering workers he supposedly championed the freedom of so long ago. This pope is the man who opposed liberation theology, who fought against a woman's right of abortion and instilled nationalism and bigotry into the glorious struggles of self-determination which took place in Eastern Europe; who gave spirtual blessing to the murderers and thieves who pillaged Eastern Europe.

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A Look at the Process to Mourn the Pope

andcrs2 Senior Member

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A Look at the Process to Mourn the Pope

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Bhaskar Members

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