Pope Francis, 88, checked himself into the hospital for bilateral pneumonia, which was later discovered to be a bacterial infection. The dire news is alarming for the 1.36 billion Catholics worldwide–18 percent of the global population. As the symbolic head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican city-state, the Pope's health is of the utmost concern.

The death of a pope triggers a meticulous and historically rich process that combines centuries-old tradition with theological significance, ensuring a seamless transition in the Church's leadership. This process by which a new pope is chosen is called a Conclave, the same name as the Oscar-nominated film starring Ralph Fiennes.

Before its formalization, papal elections were often subject to external political pressures, lengthy deliberations, and even violence. One of the most infamous delays occurred in the 13th century when the election of Pope Gregory X took nearly three years due to political infighting among the cardinals.

In response, the Second Council of Lyon established the modern conclave system in 1274, mandating that cardinals be locked in seclusion until a decision was reached. This decree expedited the election process and ensured a more spiritually driven selection free from undue secular influence.

The secrecy and solemnity of the conclave reflect the Church's understanding that the election is guided by the Holy Spirit rather than mere human politics. To understand the conclave, let's explore each step of this sacred transition, from the moment of death–or resignation–to the election of a new pope.

The Confirmation of Death

Although a doctor is aptly qualified to proclaim the time of death for any person, the pomp and circumstance of confirming a Papal death begins here. Historically, this was conducted by gently tapping the Pope's head three times with a silver hammer and calling his birth name.

This practice dates back to at least the 16th century, ensuring no premature declarations were made. While this method has largely been replaced with modern medical verification, it remains a powerful symbol of certainty and finality.

The Camerlengo, established in the 11th century, oversees the Church during the interregnum and formally announces the pope's death to the world.

The Fisherman's Ring, a symbol of the pope's authority since the 13th century, is defaced and destroyed to prevent misuse. This symbol, which dates back to when the seal was used to authenticate papal documents, signifies the end of the deceased Pontiff's reign.

The Period of Mourning

The Vatican enters an official mourning period lasting nine days, known as the novemdiales ("Novem" is Latin for "nine," "Diales" means "days"). This tradition is rooted in Roman funeral customs that predate Christianity. The practice symbolizes the completion of a transition period and is reminiscent of ancient Jewish mourning traditions.

During this time, the pope's body lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica. This practice began with the early burial of popes near St. Peter's tomb to emphasize apostolic continuity. The grand funeral, attended by heads of state and religious leaders, follows liturgical traditions codified by Pope Pius V in the 16th century, ensuring that the rite remains consistent with historical Catholic doctrine. This process is "Quo Primum," meaning "from the first" in Latin.

The Sede Vacante and Governance of the Church

Once the pope dies, the Church enters a period known as sede vacante—"the seat being vacant." This term has been used since at least the 12th century when papal transitions became more structured. During this time, no significant decisions regarding doctrine or Church governance could be made, reflecting Catholic teachings that only a reigning pope holds full ecclesiastical authority.

The Camerlengo assumes administrative duties, dating back to the 13th century when financial and operational stability needed to be maintained after the pope's death. In 1059, Pope Nicholas II formally recognized the College of Cardinals as the pope's electors. The College then convened to begin preparations for the conclave.

The Gathering of Cardinals

The College of Cardinals, composed of voting members under the age of 80 (a rule established by Pope Paul VI in 1970), gathers in Rome within 15-20 days of the pope's passing. This exclusive assembly originated in the early Church when Roman clergy and bishops selected a new pope through acclamation.

However, disputes and external influences led Pope Gregory X to formalize the conclave system in 1274 at the Second Council of Lyon, ensuring secrecy and preventing lengthy vacancies. The oath of secrecy taken by cardinals before entering the Sistine Chapel mirrors ancient ecclesiastical practices meant to safeguard the independence of papal elections from political or personal ambitions.

The Conclave and Election Process

The word conclave comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning "with a key," signifying the locked nature of the proceedings. The strict seclusion of the cardinals was first enforced in the 13th century to avoid external pressures, mainly from European monarchs.

The method of burning ballots to produce either black or white smoke originated in the 20th century under Pope Pius XI, providing a clear public signal of election results. The conclave's theological significance is deeply tied to the belief that the Holy Spirit guides the electors in choosing the next pope, a conviction traced back to the election of St. Peter's successors in the early Church.

The Papal Selection

To be elected pope, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority vote, a rule first mandated by Pope Alexander III in 1179 to prevent factional disputes. The elected cardinal is then asked if he accepts the position, mirroring Christ's question to Peter in John 21:16: "Do you love me?"

This moment is not only historical but deeply biblical, reflecting Peter's role as the foundational leader of the Church. Upon acceptance, the new pope chooses a regnal name, a tradition that began with Pope John II in the 6th century to avoid using pagan birth names. The significance of these names often ties into previous papal missions, symbolizing continuity and inspiration.

Habeums Papam

Once a pope has been chosen, the world awaits the famous words: Habemus Papam! "We have a pope!" This proclamation, made from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, originated in the 15th century when papal elections became widely anticipated events.

The new pope then offers his first apostolic blessing, Urbi et Orbi ("To the city and the world"). This phrase, rooted in Roman imperial announcements, was later adopted by the Church to emphasize the pope's authority over Rome and the global Catholic community.

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum;
Habemus Papam:
Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum …,
Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem….,
Qui sibi nomen imposuit ….
I announce to you a great joy;
We have a Pope!
The most eminent and most reverend Lord,
Lord [First Name], Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church [Last Name],
Who takes for himself the name of [Papal or Regnal Name].

Pontificate Coronation

Though Pope Paul VI abolished papal coronations with a tiara in 1963, the inaugural Mass remains a significant event, marking the beginning of a new pontificate. The newly elected pope receives the Pallium, a symbol of pastoral authority dating back to at least the 4th century, which ties him to St. Peter's legacy.

He is also given the Fisherman's Ring, symbolizing the pope's role as Peter's successor since the 13th century. These traditions underscore the historical and theological importance of the papal office, ensuring continuity with the Church's apostolic foundations.

Resignations Rare, But Not Unheard Of

Before Pope Benedict XVI resigned in February 2013, no one had voluntarily left the Holy See for 600 years. Since Saint Peter the Apostle took the helm as the first Bishop of Rome from 67 to 78 AD, only six men have resigned from the Pontificate.

Pope Pontian, the 18th pope, was the first to abdicate in September 235 AD. Following Pontian's renunciation, some have been alleged (without written records), and others have been recorded and made official in history.

Alleged:

1. Marcellinus resigned sometime between 297 and 303 AD. Some believe he renounced more than the Papacy; he is said to have renounced his Christianity.
2. Liberius resigned between 353 and 360 AD. By the 4th century, Christianity was the official religion of the Roman Empire, but Liberius was later considered a heretic because he was an Arian Christian, or someone who believed God "created" Jesus.
3. John XVIII's resignation in approximately 1007 is an enigma because the Vatican has no record of his papacy at all, although his ascension to the Vatican is recorded through the Crescentii family, which maneuvered several men to become the Pontiff for their own needs.

Recorded:

1. Benedict IX was the first "Benedict" to resign from the Papacy before Cardinal Joesph Ratzinger did because of his ailing health. In 1032, Theophyalactus of Tusculum was only 20 when he became pope. After a decade of debauchery, Romans revolted, leaving him with an odd ending to his Papacy. Benedict IX didn't really resign–he sold it to his godfather, Giovanni Graziano.
2. Gregory VI was Cardinal Giovanni Graziano, who wanted to "clean up" the Papacy. After only a year, he gave up and left the Holy See in 1046.
3. Celestine V resigned his term in 1294 after only six months. Born Pietro da Morrone, CelestineV was known to be a pious hermit. Following a century of corruption, Cardinals chose Pietro, believing he would restore holiness to appointment. Because he yearns to be alone, it was thought that he would be better served elsewhere with less government oversight.
4. Gregory XII was pope from 1406 to 1415 when he left the seat because of the Western Schism. This period was known as the Avignon Papacy when a group of cardinals wanted "their" pope, so they voted Benedict XIII, who lived in Avignon, as their own. Meanwhile, when Pope Innocent VIII died in Rome, Gregory (born Angelo Correr) was elected to replace him. The schism ended when both popes were asked to step down and allow Alexander V to become Pontiff.

When Gregory XII stepped forward to improve the Holy See and Rome, the Code of Canon Laws was made concrete. Pope Benedict XVI then completed this process, making way for Pope Francis. Likewise, if the current Pontiff resigns from the papacy due to health issues, the Code of Canon Laws will be ascribed to Pope Francis.

Essentially, the pope must make a public declaration without duress or coercion. When his resignation is made public, no one has to "accept" it. The Papacy is officially open, which skips the "confirmation of death" and "period of mourning" and leads directly to "Sede Vacante."

Upon papal abdication, the resigning Pope takes on the title of "Pope Emeritus" and spends his last days in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he is available for counsel, confession, and communion to the sick. The death of a pope is both a moment of sorrow and renewal within the Catholic Church. Through centuries of refined practice, the transition between pontiffs is carried out with precision, reverence, and theological depth. Each process step—from the destruction of the Fisherman's Ring to the conclave—has been shaped by historical necessity, doctrinal development, and the Church's desire to maintain divine guidance in leadership.

As Pope Francis' health raises questions about the future, understanding this sacred process allows the faithful to appreciate the divine and historical weight of the papal succession. Furthermore, because of its sanctity, this election process should bring peace and resolve to all Catholic adherents.