Sedis vacancy in the Vatican: A foggy transition to Pope Francis' death

Sedis vacancy in the Vatican: A foggy transition to Pope Francis' death

Vatikanstadt, Italien - On April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church entered a phase of the sedism vacancy , after the death of Pope Francis. This loss marks the end of the pontificate of the first South American Pope and leads to the holy chair temporarily orphaned. During this time, the cardinals take responsibility for the management of the church worldwide.

The cardinals meet daily in so -called General congregations to prepare both the funeral of the late Pope and the upcoming election of a new Pope, the Conclave . The conclave is an important moment in the life of the church, where everyone under 80 years old cardinals are entitled to vote. The duration of a Sedis vacancy can vary greatly, often from a few months to several years. A historical example is the sedis vacancy from 1268 to 1271, which lasted two years and nine months, or the five -month sedism vacancy from 1740.

role of cardinals during the Sedis vacancy

In the time of the sedis vacancy, the cardinals are restricted by canon law because they are only allowed to make urgent decisions. Laws that were issued during the term of the late Pope cannot be changed. The administration of ordinary affairs is responsible for a special congregation that does not include all cardinals. This is led by the Cardinal Camerlengo , which is currently Kevin Farrell.

The Cardinal Camerlengo has a crucial role; He informs the cardinals about the death of the Pope and ensures that the necessary rituals are observed. Among other things, the fishing ring of the late Pope is broken to prevent abuse and medals are shaped.

the conclave and the choice of the new Pope

The choice of a new Pope can take place at the earliest on the 15th day after the start of the sedis vacancy. During the conclusion, the cardinals are cut off from the outside world and have no communication options. The election process begins with a Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, followed by the cardinals' sistinian chapel . Each ballot is secret by the ballot that is thrown into a chalice. The chairman of the election is the cardinal dean, which also informs the new Pope about the outcome of the election.

When a new Pope is chosen, he is asked if he accepts the choice and what name he wants to accept. White smoke from the fireplace and the ringing of the bells of St. Peter's Cathedral signal the choice of a new Pope, while black smoke means that no agreement has yet been reached. After successfully performed, the public receives knowledge of the new head of the Catholic Church with the words " habemus papam ", which then grants the blessing "Urbi et orbi" The entire process is a comprehensive ritual that not only reflects the spirituality of the Church, but also its historical traditions and the responsibilities of cardinals in this crucial time. Preparations are already in full swing to ensure a smooth transition and the choice of a new Pope that will lead the Catholic Church into a new era.

For more information on the Sedisvacanz and the Conclave, you can report the reports from vienna.at bistum-augsburg.de and Puls24.at Visit