Vatican - The Pope is dead - as it goes on in Rome

In the Vatican, the weeks until the election of the Pope are strictly regulated. After the death of the Pope, all preparations for succession must be made. All this follows a protocol and is bound by special persons and offices.

Tourists and pilgrims attending the Vatican City in Rome for Holy Week were stunned to receive news of the pope's death on Monday morning after he delivered a message in person on Easter Sunday.

The Pope is dead – what happens now? “Apostolica Sedes Vacans.” In Danish: The seat is vacant. This is what is written in block letters on the Vatican website after Pope Francis passed away on Easter Sunday.

After the death of Pope Francis this Monday in Rome, the Diocese of Ciudad Juárez reported that the Vatican has begun the protocol corresponding to the period of vacant seat, as established in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. This was explained by Father Juan Carlos López, spokesman for the diocese. The cleric detailed that the first step was the official confirmation of the death of the pontiff, in charge of Camarlengo, an e…

After the death of Jorge Bergoglio, the Holy See entered a period of vacation and changed its official visual identity. During the "tempore seat vacant", the so-called cardinal Camerlengo must prepare the change of command. Read more

The 91-year-old cardinal dean Giovanni Battista Re will play a decisive role from now on. "The daily post "konklave.de" provides numerous information on the upcoming papal election.