Through a message shared by the Camarlengo -To responsible for administering the temporal assets of the Holy Sede-, it was known that the Pope Francis died at 88 years in the early hours of this Monday, April 21 at his residence in the Santa Marta house, located next to the Basilica of San Pedro, in the city of the Vatican.
Luis René Sandoval, Communication Director of the Archbishopric of Santiago de Guatemala, expressed to Free press That the news of the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis received with deep pain.
“We invite all the parishioners to pray and ask for the eternal rest of his soul and above all to remember him for his humility and closeness, his struggle for peace and justice and to continue with the values he has taught us during this time.”
Luis René Sandoval, Communication Director of the Archbishopric of Santiago de Guatemala
The Cathedral bell did not touch how it was planned due to the time of death, but it could be done at the time of the Eucharist.
The death of a Pope moves to the Catholic Church in the world. Different rituals and actions are carried out as part of the announcement of this historical event and the beginning of a new ecclesiastical stage.
In Guatemala, for example, since the time of the colony there is a tradition. The Cathedral bell It sounds 100 times to announce the death of the leader.
The historian, Alberto Salazar, social communicator of the Catholic Church, says that this tradition comes from the time of the colony, when Antigua Guatemala was the main city. “In the current century two popes, John Paul II and Benedito XVI have died, when his death is announced the bell of the Metropolitan Cathedral has replicated 100 times, a touch every minute,” says Salazar.
When an archbishop dies in the country, this tradition is also. Similarly, when the new Pope is selected, “The Chepona”as the cathedral campaign is known, replicate again, but with joy.
The Metropolitan Cathedral bell is called “The Chepona”. Which was consecrated to “San José”, but for being masculine, the popular ingenuity granted a female alias that is still the largest bell in the country.
At 8 in the morning the first Eucharist will have in Metropolitan Cathedral this Monday, April 21.
The vacancy process was also initiated and the name of the Holy Father in the Eucharists is no longer mentioned and Sandoval explains.
From now on the Holy See has 15 days to start the conclave as such until a successor of San Pedro is named.