The death of Pope Francis will now launch the elaborate and centenary procedure of the Catholic Church to choose a new pontiff.
The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals that come into play in the next week to guarantee the transfer of power to the new Pope after the old man dies.
From the mourning period to a vote of the conclave and the burning of voting, this is what to expect to replace the leader of the 1,400 million Catholics in the world:
Vacant headquarters: The seat is vacant
The Church now enters a period known as “vacant headquarters”, a Latin phrase that translates into “empty seat” or “vacant seat”, when the throne of St. Peter is unoccupied.
Traditionally, this period can last several weeks, since Pope Francis’s body is in the state, his funeral is a hero, and the Vatican prepares for him through his hand to choose his successor.
Duration this time, the Cardinals College will take over and temporarily assume limited powers, led by Camerlengo or Chamberlain.
The cardinal born in Ireland Kevin Farrell, who is the current Camecher of the Church, will now be in charge of directing the administration and finances of the Holy See, known as the Government of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Farrell will also supervise Francis’s death certification, sealing the papal apartments and preparing for his burial.
The great decision -making in relation to the Vatican will be suspended.
The conclave
According to the procedures of the Vatican, a “conclave”, a meeting where the cardinals vote on the next pontiff, must begin in 15 to 20 days after the death of Pope Francis.
The meeting will take place in the Sistine Chapel, the famous Vatican Hall that is adorned with the paintings of Miguel Ángel, where the cardinals lend a secret oath before sealing the doors.
Once the conclave begins, the cardinals won can leave the Vatican until they have chosen a new Pope.
They will sleep at the Casa Santa Marta hotel within the Vatican land and will not have access to telephones, internet or newspapers.
Only 138 of the 253 cardinals can serve as voters in the conclave, compared to an anterior limit of 120, and no cardinal over 80 years can participate in the vote.
Black or black smoke?
The cardinals will hold two daily voting sessions until a candidate has more than two thirds of the vote.
His secret ballots arrived saying a prayer and then placing their voting cards in a large gold chalice. The cards have the phrase of Latin words “Eligo in Summum Pontificem”, which means “I choose as a supreme pontiff” – Print on the subject.
In the past, the big crowds have invaded the Plaza de San Pedro, since the voting sessions are heroes so that they can monitor the chimney at the top of the Sistine Chapel.
If a majority is not reached, the ballots are placed in a stove and burn with an additive that produces black smoke, which tells the outside world that a Pope has not yet been chosen.
The sessions will be suspended for a day if a majority is not reached in three days. The process continues again in the same format until a new lake is collected.
We have a Pope!
Once a majority vote is finally reached, the secret tickets burn with an additive that will produce white smoke.
At the closed doors, the new Pope is asked if he accepts the position and what name he wants to take.
Then he will sit on a throne inside the chapel while the other cardinals present one by one to swear obedience to the new pontiff.
Shortly after, Cardinal Senior’s deacon will go to the main balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro to reveal the identity of the next church leader.
The successor of Pope Francis will emerge on the balcony where he will deliver his first public greeting and bless the crowds below.
With publication cables