According to the spokesman for the city of the Vatican, the Pope Francis He has been critical since last Sunday, February 23 after having suffered a respiratory crisis, Therefore, the Supreme Pontiff continues at the Gemelli Hospital, located in Rome, Italy, where they supply oxygen and make some blood transfusions.
“The Holy Father is not yet out of danger. Blood analysis revealed a Thrombocytopeniaa condition that occurs when the number of platelets in the blood is lower than normal, so it was necessary that diverse be administered Hemotransfusions To prevent its state from aggravating, “added the Holy See.
The delicate situation in which Francisco has currently dismayed millions of Catholics around the world, who have already begun to wonder: what will happen when the Pope dies? And how will the new Pontiff be chosen? Taking into account that the Argentine is close to 12 years in the post.
In accordance with the Apostolic Constitution of the Catholic Church published by the Pope John Paul II on February 22, 1996, known as Universi Dominici Gregisthere is a protocol, a specific ceremony and formalism that the city of the Vatican must carry out in the case of the sudden death of the Holy Father.
What happens when a Pope dies?
According to article 17 of the Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis”, the master of the pontifical liturgical celebrations, of the clergy and secretary prelates, must officially verify the death of the Pope in the presence of the Apostolic Chamber Chancellor, which must extend the authentic document or act of death.
After confirmation of the death of the Pontiff, both must seal The Pope’s study and room, to later announce to the service personnel that they can continue living in the residence until after the grave of the Holy Father, because at that time “the entire Pontifical apartment will be sealed.”
After sealing the Pope’s room, the vicar general for the diocese of Romealso known as Cardinal Vicarhe will be in charge of giving the news to the people Roman Through a special notification, since he will take possession of the Vatican Apostolic Palace and the Lateran and Castel Palaces, exercising their custody and government.
Finally, Cardinal Vicar will make a ritual before starting with the burial of the Pope, taking into account that he must take the “Fisherman’s ring“That the Pontiff used to destroy it, because each Holy Father carries a ring made with the remains of which it was previously used, in order to record a new seal.
How do you choose the new Pope?
After the death of the Pope, the conclavethe meeting held by the Cardinal College of the Catholic Church to choose a new Supreme Pontiff, who will become the bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of the city of the Vatican, and for being the successor of San Pedro, it will be the earthly head of the Catholicism.
According to the “Universi Dominici Gregis” Constitution, during the conclave, the cardinals around the world must stay in a building in the city of the Vatican, known as the Santa Marta house; However, the votes will be made in the Sistine chapel And only who gets a two -thirds majority will be chosen.
The cardinals will not be able to leave until they have chosen the next pontiff, so a maximum of four votes will be made every day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Although it is worth mentioning that if no result is obtained after three days of voting, the process is suspend For a day to pray.
What happens if Pope Francis dies? The conclave film explains it perfectly
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– Cineramaes (@cineramaes) February 25, 2025