What Happens When the Pope Dies? Inside the Vatican’s Ancient and Modern Protocols
On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, ending a historic papacy that spanned over twelve transformative years. The passing of a pope is a rare yet momentous event, profoundly felt across the globe. As the spiritual leader of over one billion Catholics worldwide, the pope not only represents religious authority but also embodies moral leadership and global influence. The death of a pontiff thus triggers an elaborate sequence of ancient rituals and modern administrative ...
