FACTBOX- What Happens After A Pope Dies?

Reuters Tape (no link) | 4/1/05 | Edited by Steve Pagani

[BunnySlippers]

FACTBOX- What Happens After A Pope Dies?

VATICAN CITY, April 1 (Reuters) - With Pope John Paul gravely ill, the Roman Catholic Church is preparing for the elaborate rituals that mark the end of one papacy and the start of the next.

Here is a guide to what is due to happen when the Pope dies:

** Once a pope dies, his camerlengo (chamberlain) officially confirms his death, seals his private apartment and prepares the funeral and the conclave to elect a successor.

** The camerlengo and three elected cardinal assistants decide when the pope's body is to be taken into St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing. They also make sure the Pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and his lead seal are broken so they cannot be used by anyone else. No autopsy is performed.

** Funeral rites last 9 days, with the date of the funeral and burial to be decided by the cardinals between the fourth and sixth day after his death. Popes are laid to rest in the crypt underneath St. Peter's Basilica. They are traditionally buried in a casket of cypress wood which is sealed inside a larger lead casket and then covered with an outer pine box.

** The College of Cardinals oversees day-to-day business during the interregnum. Their power is limited and much of the central Church administration grinds to a halt.

** The conclave to elect a new pope starts in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel between 15 and 20 days after the death. The cardinals, who are confined to the Vatican for the duration of the conclave, decide the exact day. For the first time, they will not live in the Chapel or nearby rooms in the Vatican Museum, but in a new residence on Vatican grounds.

** 120 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. They need a majority of at least two-thirds plus one to elect him. When the conclave has elected a pope, he is asked if he accepts and which name he wishes to take. Once this is done, he dons papal vestments -- tailors keep several sizes ready -- and sits on a throne in the Sistine Chapel to receive the other cardinals who file up to pay homage and pledge obedience.

** The world will know a pope has been elected when an official burns the paper ballots with special chemicals to make white smoke pour out of the Chapel's chimney. They use other chemicals to make black smoke indicating an inconclusive vote.

** Soon afterwards, the dean of the College of Cardinals steps on to the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to announce to the crowds in the square "Habemus Papam" ("We have a Pope"). The new pope then appears in his papal robes and gives the crowd his blessing.

((Rome newsroom; Reuters Messaging))

[BunnySlippers]

Are we able to post from the Reuters news feed?
Hoping ...

[Perdogg]

Will they ring the Bell of San Marco?


Can Barbara Boxer block the appointment of a new Pope?

[ZeitgeistSurfer]

Question: Does being Secretary General of the UN bar you from also being Pope? Thanks for your help in this matter.
---William Jefferson Clinton

[EagleUSA]

Can Barbara Boxer block the appointment of a new Pope?
=====
She, and her Communist ilk, ala Pelosi, would love to do just that -- afterall this man and his church are responsible for VALUES and FAITH and MORALS and all those obstacles to communism and empowerment of the people...

(just a little aside from the Communist Manifesto...)

[BunnySlippers]

I guess it's OK ...

[UB355]

Factbox and Reuters in the same article ?

[Dawgreg]

:)

[BunnySlippers]

Isn't Factbox part of Reuters? It comes over the same news feed.

[UB355]

I meant to imply since when did Reuters report facts...

[BigEdLB]

117 Cardinals Eligible to Vote for next Pope
Cardinal D O B Nationality
AGNELO Geraldo Majella . 19-Oct-33 . Brazil
AGRÉ Bernard . 02-Mar-26 . Ivory Coast
ÁLVAREZ MARTÍNEZ Francisco . 14-Jul-25 . Spain
AMBROZIC Aloysius Matthew . 27-Jan-30 . Canada
AMIGO VALLEJO Carlos, O.F.M. . 23-Aug-34 . Spain
ANTONELLI Ennio . 18-Nov-36 . Italy
ARINZE Francis . 01-Nov-32 . Nigeria
BACHKIS Audrys Juozas . 01-Feb-37 . Lithuania
BARBARIN Philippe . 17-Oct-50 . France
BAUM William Wakefield . 21-Nov-26 . U.S.A.
BERGOGLIO Jorge Mario, S.I. . 12-Dec-36 . Argentina
BERTONE Tarcisio, S.D.B. . 01-Dec-34 . Italy
BIFFI Giacomo . 13-Jun-28 . Italy
BOZANICH Josip . 20-Mar-49 . Croatia
CACCIAVILLAN Agostino . 14-Aug-26 . Italy
CARLES GORDÓ Ricardo María . 24-Sep-26 . Spain
CASTRILLÓN HOYOS Darío . 04-Jul-29 . Colombia
CÉ Marco . 08-Jul-25 . Italy
CIPRIANI THORNE Juan Luis . 28-Dec-43 . Peru
CONNELL Desmond . 24-Mar-26 . Ireland
da CRUZ POLICARPO José . 26-Feb-36 . Portugal
DANNEELS Godfried . 04-Jun-33 . Belgium
DAOUD Ignace Moussa I . 18-Sep-30 . Syria
DARMAATMADJA Julius Riyadi, S.I. . 20-Dec-34 . Indonesia
DE GIORGI Salvatore . 06-Sep-30 . Italy
DIAS Ivan . 14-Apr-36 . India
EGAN Edward Michael . 02-Apr-32 . U.S.A.
ERDO Péter . 25-Jun-52 . Hungary
ERRÁZURIZ OSSA Francisco Javier, dei P. di Schönstatt . 05-Sep-33 . Chile
ETSOU-NZABI-BAMUNGWABI Frédéric, C.I.C.M. . 03-Dec-30 . Democratic Republic of Congo
FALCÃO FREIRE José . 23-Oct-25 . Brazil
GEORGE Francis Eugene, O.M.I. . 16-Jan-37 . U.S.A.
GIORDANO Michele . 26-Sep-30 . Italy
GLEMP Józef . 18-Dec-29 . Poland
GROCHOLEWSKI Zenon . 11-Oct-39 . Poland
HAMAO Stephen Fumio . 09-Mar-30 . Japan
HERRANZ Julián . 31-Mar-30 . Spain
HUMMES Cláudio, O.F.M. . 08-Aug-34 . Brazil
HUSAR Lubomyr, M.S.U. . 26-Feb-33 . Ukraine
JAWORSKI Marian . 21-Aug-26 . Ukraine
KASPER Walter . 05-Mar-33 . Germany
KEELER William Henry . 04-Mar-31 . U.S.A.
KITBUNCHU Michael Michai . 25-Jan-29 . Thailand
LAW Bernard Francis . 04-Nov-31 . U.S.A.
LEHMANN Karl . 16-May-36 . Germany
LÓPEZ RODRÍGUEZ Nicolás de Jesús . 31-Oct-36 . Dominican Republic
LÓPEZ TRUJILLO Alfonso . 08-Nov-35 . Colombia
LOZANO BARRAGÁN Javier . 26-Jan-33 . Mexico
LUSTIGER Jean-Marie . 17-Sep-26 . France
MACHARSKI Franciszek . 20-May-27 . Poland
MAHONY Roger Michael . 27-Feb-36 . U.S.A.
MAIDA Adam Joseph . 18-Mar-30 . U.S.A.
MARCHISANO Francesco . 25-Jun-29 . Italy
MARTÍNEZ SOMALO Eduardo . 31-Mar-27 . Spain
MARTINI Carlo Maria, S.I. . 15-Feb-27 . Italy
MARTINO Renato Raffaele . 23-Nov-32 . Italy
McCARRICK Theodore Edgar . 07-Jul-30 . U.S.A.
MEDINA ESTÉVEZ Jorge Arturo . 23-Dec-26 . Chile
MEISNER Joachim . 25-Dec-33 . Germany
MURPHY-O’CONNOR Cormac . 24-Aug-32 . Great Britain
NAPIER Wilfrid Fox, O.F.M. . 08-Mar-41 . South Africa
NICORA Attilio . 16-Mar-37 . Italy
O’BRIEN Keith Michael Patrick . 17-Mar-38 . Great Britain
OBANDO BRAVO Miguel, S.D.B. . 02-Feb-26 . Nicaragua
OKOGIE Anthony Olubunmi . 16-Jun-36 . Nigeria
ORTEGA Y ALAMINO Jaime Lucas . 18-Oct-36 . Cuba
OUELLET Marc, P.S.S. . 08-Jun-44 . Canada
PANAFIEU Bernard . 26-Jan-31 . France
PASKAI László, O.F.M. . 08-May-27 . Hungary
PELL George . 08-Jun-41 . Australia
PENGO Polycarp . 05-Aug-44 . Tanzania
PHAM MINH MÂN Jean-Baptiste . 01-Jan-34 . Viêt Nam
POLETTO Severino . 18-Mar-33 . Italy
POMPEDDA Mario Francesco . 18-Apr-29 . Italy
POUPARD Paul . 30-Aug-30 . France
PUJATS Janis . 14-Nov-30 . Latvia
PULJICH Vinko . 08-Sep-45 . Bosnia-Herzegovina
QUEZADA TORUÑO Rodolfo . 08-Mar-32 . Guatemala
RATZINGER Joseph . 16-Apr-27 . Germany
RAZAFINDRATANDRA Armand Gaétan . 07-Aug-25 . Madagascar
RE Giovanni Battista . 30-Jan-34 . Italy
RIGALI Justin Francis . 19-Apr-35 . U.S.A.
RIVERA CARRERA Norberto . 06-Jun-42 . Mexico
RODRÍGUEZ MARADIAGA Oscar Andrés, S.D.B. . 29-Dec-42 . Honduras
ROUCO VARELA Antonio María . 24-Aug-36 . Spain
RUBIANO SÁENZ Pedro . 13-Sep-32 . Colombia
RUINI Camillo . 19-Feb-31 . Italy
SANDOVAL ÍÑIGUEZ Juan . 28-Mar-33 . Mexico
SARAIVA MARTINS José, C.M.F. . 06-Jan-32 . Portugal
SCHEID Eusébio Oscar, S.C.I. . 08-Dec-32 . Brazil
SCHÖNBORN Christoph, O.P. . 22-Jan-45 . Austria
SCHWERY Henri . 14-Jun-32 . Switzerland
SCOLA Angelo . 07-Nov-41 . Italy
SEBASTIANI Sergio . 11-Apr-31 . Italy
SEPE Crescenzio . 02-Jun-43 . Italy
SHIRAYANAGI Peter Seiichi . 17-Jun-28 . Japan
SIMONIS Adrianus Johannes . 26-Nov-31 . PaesiBassi
SIN Jaime L. . 31-Aug-28 . Philippines
SODANO Angelo . 23-Nov-27 . Italy
STAFFORD James Francis . 26-Jul-32 . U.S.A.
STERZINSKY Georg Maximilian . 09-Feb-36 . Germany
SUÁREZ RIVERA Adolfo Antonio . 09-Jan-27 . Mexico
SZOKA Edmund Casimir . 14-Sep-27 . U.S.A.
TAURAN Jean-Louis . 05-Apr-43 . France
TERRAZAS SANDOVAL Julio, C.SS.R. . 07-Mar-36 . Bolivia
TETTAMANZI Dionigi . 14-Mar-34 . Italy
TOPPO Telesphore Placidus . 15-Oct-39 . India
TUMI Christian Wiyghan . 15-Oct-30 . Cameroun
TURCOTTE Jean-Claude . 26-Jun-36 . Canada
TURKSON Peter Kodwo Appiah . 11-Oct-48 . Ghana
VIDAL Ricardo J. . 06-Feb-31 . Philippines
VITHAYATHIL Varkey, C.SS.R. . 29-May-27 . India
VLK Miloslav . 17-May-32 . Czech Republic
WAMALA Emmanuel . 15-Dec-26 . Uganda
WETTER Friedrich . 20-Feb-28 . Germany
WILLIAMS Thomas Stafford . 20-Mar-30 . New Zealand
ZUBEIR WAKO Gabriel . 27-Feb-41 . Sudan

[jammer]

The confirmation of death is interesting to me. The Pope's forehead is tapped (or hit harder, when the process began...to make sure?) with a silver hammer and the Camerlengo asks, "Pope [whoever], are you well and truly dead?" This happens 3 times. I believe the practice began when there were the false Popes, etc.

[RetiredArmy]

Have they floated any names of the potential new Pope. I am not Catholic, so do not know about these things. But, was wondering if there were some that were "seen" as possible successors.

[afraidfortherepublic]

They also make sure the Pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and his lead seal are broken

This AM on Fox & Friends, a breathless ED Hill commented, "And I don't know whose picture is on it.."

Well, I don't know either, but a good guess might be Peter I.

Really, Fox News is irritating me. ED Hill was nearly hysterical crying, "But what if he's incapacitated...there are no provisions in place?"

And Later Greg Palkot stated that St. Peter's Square was filling up with "people praying to the Pope!"

Egad!

[agere_contra]

Lol! Pope Clinton.

[BigEdLB]

I'm not Catholic either, but it seems the prognosticators are focused on one of several cardinals from Latin America.

There is a Cuban, so it one wants to give Fidel the screaming fits... They might pick him...

[Trajan88]

I've heard a German has serious political clout with the Cards, he's got the nickname of panzerkardinal (he is quite conservative which scares the heck out of the bleeding heart liberal wing of the Church).

I wouldn't mind seeing that come to fruition even though I'm American of Italian heritage.

Long live JPII.

Trajan88

[BigEdLB]

Don't dump on E.D. Shes a nice lady, and just sometimes gets carried away....

[BigEdLB]

I just hope they don't start scheduling the "Shoes of the Fisherman" with Anthony Quinn on the movie channels (over and over and over)...

[BunnySlippers]

Yeah, the conservative black African cardinal is on the short list.

[BunnySlippers]

Oh, haha ... that applies to many. :)

[singletrack]

The one name that keeps appearing in Antonio Sicola, a young Italian with a strong following. His ability to get things done haS made him a favorite for Pope . His followers have been using the ralling cry "Things go better with Pope Sicola".

[bookworm100]

The Fisherman's ring is placed on the finger of a newly elected pope. It is made of gold, with a representation of St. Peter in a boat, fishing, and the name of the reigning pope around it.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank you for the confirmation.

I was just struck by ED Hill's ignorance on Catholicism. She and some of the others on Fox News are real pieces of work when they stray into religion. I didn't know what was on a "Fisherman Ring", but it would be an easy guess that it would represent St. Peter I, "Fisher of Men" and first Pope. I should think that even a Baptist might be able to guess that! (No disrespect meant to Baptists. They may not believe in the Pope, but they know their Bible better than most.) Furthermore, either she or Mike referred to the current Pope as "Pope John."

And then to hear Greg Palkot talk about Catholics filling St. Peter's Square and "praying TO the Pope" was more than I could take this AM.

*eyes widen and roll slowly* sigh

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank you for the confirmation.

I was just struck by ED Hill's ignorance on Catholicism. She and some of the others on Fox News are real pieces of work when they stray into religion. I didn't know what was on a "Fisherman Ring", but it would be an easy guess that it would represent St. Peter I, "Fisher of Men" and first Pope. I should think that even a Baptist might be able to guess that! (No disrespect meant to Baptists. They may not believe in the Pope, but they know their Bible better than most.) Furthermore, either she or Mike referred to the current Pope as "Pope John."

And then to hear Greg Palkot talk about Catholics filling St. Peter's Square and "praying TO the Pope" was more than I could take this AM.

*eyes widen and roll slowly* sigh

[RepublicMan4U]

"Can Barbara Boxer block the appointment of a new Pope?"

John Paul II condemned the U.S. embargo on Cuba and the War in Iraq. I'm not sure how welcome HE would be here. Sorry, just being honest. Please do not think I am making light of the Pope's situation.

[BunnySlippers]

The confirmation of death is interesting to me. The Pope's forehead is tapped (or hit harder, when the process began...to make sure?) with a silver hammer and the Camerlengo asks, "Pope [whoever], are you well and truly dead?" This happens 3 times. I believe the practice began when there were the false Popes, etc.

Is this true or is it because it's April Fool's Day? :)

[Willie Green]

an official burns the paper ballots with special chemicals to make white smoke pour out of the Chapel's chimney. They use other chemicals to make black smoke indicating an inconclusive vote.

When did they start using chemicals???

As I recall, they simply burned wet straw with the ballots to turn the smoke black. And without the straw, the paper ballots produce white smoke. Never heard anything about chemicals before.

[jammer]

According to Malachi Martin, it's true. If you haven't read his books, highly recommended. Prevented them from burying a live pope when papal intrigue wasn't quite so hidden as it is now. I will try to find the book in my library and reference it for you.

P.S.I would never joke about the circumstances of the death of the man I consider the greatest of the 20th (and many other) centuries.

[jammer]

John Paul II condemned the U.S. embargo on Cuba and the War in Iraq. I'm not sure how welcome HE would be here.

Won't be popular here, but I have to say that your statement, while very true, says more about us than about John Paul II.

[jammer]

I have just moved and much of my library is packed. I can only find "The Jesuits" and "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church", neither of which has the citation--but both highly recommended, especially now. BTW, I am not Roman Catholic, but I assert the primacy of the Church. Won't comment further about that.

The book I am thinking of, and cannot locate conveniently, is "The Final Conclave." It is so timely now, as it was in 1978. It contains a description of the death of Peter that is so moving (to me) that it is sublime. It also describes the procedures when a Pope dies. I believe all people, especially Roman Catholics, should read this book for a view of political intrigue that is happening now.

[BunnySlippers]

Thank you for that recommendation. I have checked it out on the Los Angeles Publ.ic Library online (lapl.org for Angelinos). I look forward to reading it in the coming days. :)

[lainde]

Question: Does being Secretary General of the UN bar you from also being Pope? Thanks for your help in this matter.

---William Jefferson Clinton

This is the wackiest, funny thing I've read all week! Thanks for a moment of hysterical laughter in a truly miserable week!

[jammer]

Hope this is not like my restaurant recommendations! I loved Martin 20-25 years ago. I change. Times change. Hope YOU enjoy him NOW as I did years ago. Please let me know, even if you find my recommendation stinks.

[Rca2000]

I have a question. No late apr fools joke.

in 1977 or '78, before this pope took over, it seems to my memory, that there was a pope, that only served for a month or so, then, he died under mysterious circumstances. I was only 10 or 11, at the time, but, IIRC, there was talk of someone having slipped him something , like cyanide or digitalis, to kill him. Anyone else hear of that, or remember the incident?

[jammer]

E.D. may be a very nice lady, but, let's face it, she's as dumb as a fence post.

[jammer]

Amendment/Addition: That puts E.D. about on Tom Brokaw's I.Q. level--20 points higher than Dan Rather.

[Cincinna]

Nancy Grace, gotta love her.

Nancy stated that "The Pope has been read his last rites"

A little too much Miranda, Nancy?

[BunnySlippers]

Yes, the Pope who came immediately after Pope John XXIII lasted only a few weeks. He died mysteriously. The machinations of the Vatican have always been covert ... and the politics internecine. Although no one knows, there has been much speculation that he did not die naturally.

[BunnySlippers]

Nancy stated that "The Pope has been read his last rites"

Hoho ... I'm going to have to remember that one!

[Straight Vermonter]

DAOUD Ignace Moussa I . 18-Sep-30 . Syria

I know nothing of this man but seeing he is from Syria makes me think of how JPII came from "the belly of the beast" in Communist Poland. An appointment of a Pope from a Moslem country would be much the same thing.

[Straight Vermonter]

That is Cardinal Ratzinger. He is indeed a leading contendor.

[goldstategop]

All Popes since 1623 have been Italian - excepting the current Pope. There has been only one English Pope.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[BunnySlippers]

Can Barbara Boxer block the appointment of a new Pope?

She'd ask for a recount.

[goldstategop]

A German? I bet they stick to tradition and choose an Italian. No one knows though if the next Pope will come from other than Italy. It could happen.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Straight Vermonter]

I would be extrmely shocked if the next Pope were an Italian. The elevation of JPII was a sign of extending the office to people from all nations. I would not be at all surprised if there were a strong move by non-Europeans to ensure that one of their own was elevated.

[BunnySlippers]

What is the name of the Pope between John XXIII and the current Pope?

[BunnySlippers]

I would be extrmely shocked if the next Pope were an Italian.

I agree. They seem to be bent on a Third World Pope.

[wideminded]

Popes are laid to rest in the crypt underneath St. Peter's Basilica.

Many years ago I heard that there are only a few spaces left in the papal crypt. (I forget the exact number.) The story was that after the last space is filled the Antichrist will appear.

[Straight Vermonter]

Paul VI (1963-78)

John Paul I (1978)

John Paul II (1978—)