The Pope John Paul II, the Church’s fisherman, and the apostolic papal ring: A symbolic event that celebrates the feast of the last martyr
Pope Francis was chosen for the job in March of last year, several weeks after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down, due to his advanced age and diminishing strength. He died at age 95 in December 2022.
The prefect of the papal household tells the camerlengo — in 2025, that’s Cardinal Kevin Farrell — who must verify the pope’s death in the presence of the papal master of ceremonies, the cleric prelates of the Apostolic Camera and the secretary of the Apostolic Camera, who draws up a death certificate.
The camerlengo and the prefect of the papal household convey the news to a number of officials in the Vatican, who in turn pass it on to Rome and the heads of nations.
John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, six days after Easter. 17 minutes later the Vatican Press Office informed journalists of his death.
The pope’s death was announced to a crowd of tens of thousands of people in St Peter’s Square by Cardinal Giovanni Battista. The crowd grew silent, and some people clapped in tribute.
While looting (“by staff, the cardinals or the Roman populace”) was a concern in the past, modern popes are more concerned that their private papers stay out of the wrong hands.
The camerlengo destroys the pope’s fisherman’s ring and seal to symbolize the end of his reign, and prevent misuse, like forging documents.
John Paul II’s ring and seal were destroyed in a symbolic ritual at the end of the nine-day mourning period prior to the conclave.
According to Reese, the date for the funeral and burial is set by the College of Cardinals, but the apostolic constitution states it is to “take place, except for special reasons, between the fourth and sixth day after death.”
There is a pope in this situation. John Paul II’s body lay in state in the Vatican for staff and then public viewing before he was buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Conclave of St. Patrick and Esquivel Telles in 2005: Pope Ratzinger’s First Foreign Visit to the Vatican
The master of ceremonies has been arranged to lighten the situation by no cata falcons or closing of the casket, nor deposition of the cypress casket into a second and third of oak.
About 2 million people watched online, and the long list of dignitaries who attended in person included four kings, five queens and at least 70 presidents and prime ministers, according to DemocracyNow.
In a break from tradition, Francis’ last testament stipulates that his burial will not be in St. Peter’s Basilica, but instead in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a smaller church in a bustling immigrant-area of Rome.
After the vote, the winning candidate is asked two questions: Do they accept their election, and what name will they chose? The news about the appointment of the new pope is announced to the public, when official documents are filled out and the new pope is fitted with papal attire.
The conclave began on April 18 2005, two days after the pope’s death and ten days after his funeral. Cardinal Ratzinger was elected on April 19 after just four votes.
On April 19th, Ratzinger was announced as Pope Benedict XVI and on April 24th, he became the new pope. He made his first foreign trip, to his native Germany, in August of that year.
A tourist from Guadalajara, Mexico, Esquivel Telles, 55, got on a waitlist three months ago, for a group audience with Pope Francis. She had prayed to him after being diagnosed with leukemia. She went to the Vatican to give thanks.
It was a dream of mys to meet him. “Now we have to say goodbye, but now we only have to walk the cobblestones,” Telles said as she walked across the square.
Before the event, tourists and locals lit candles and placed flowers around a pillar in St. Peter’s Square.
‘Awaiting a new beginning. Reflections on old age’: a public viewing for Pope Francis begins Wednesday ahead of the funeral
“He was a very caring father, and revolutionary pope,” says Maria Munoz, 51, a tourist from Alicante, Spain. “He tried to change many things in a church that’s antiquated.”
Francis would visit the basilica after visiting every foreign trip to pray at the Virgin Mary painting. He was last there about 10 days ago.
Among those who’ve confirmed they’ll travel to Rome for the funeral are President Trump and the first lady, Melania. “We look forward to seeing you there!” On social media, Trump posted. The office of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that he would also attend.
On Tuesday, the Vatican released photos of the pope in his open casket. In one, he’s flanked by two Swiss Guards in striped uniforms. In another, the Vatican’s secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, prays alongside him. The pope wears red vestments and his bishop’s miter.
The Vatican Publishing House also Tuesday released a preface written by Francis in February of a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop emeritus of Milan, entitled ‘Awaiting a New Beginning. Reflections on Old Age.”
The late pope says we must not fear old age because life is life and sugar coating reality hurts the truth of things.
Source: Public viewing for Pope Francis begins Wednesday ahead of Saturday funeral
The Vatican’s Camerlelango and Conclave of the Dublin-born Naturalized U.S. Citizen Kevin Farrell
Until a new pope is named, the acting head of the Vatican is the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell — a Dublin-born naturalized U.S. citizen. The pope’s apartment was sealed off and a fisherman ring was destroyed, along with the conclave, in order to have a new pope elected.
The doors of the Vatican’s apartment were tied shut with red ribbon, then sealed with red wax according to a video posted to the Vatican’s media office.
A group of catholic cardinals from around the world are going to the Vatican. Their conclave is expected to be held within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death.