Who would be in charge of the Vatican if Pope Francis dies? This is what the rules say

Given the delicate state of health of Pope Francis , many have doubts about what will happen to the leadership of the Vatican if the Supreme Pontiff were to die.

Given this, it is important to know what, according to canon law, happens if the pope leaves the earthly plane. For decades, the Holy See has had strict procedures that are executed when a current pope or a pope emeritus dies.

Should Francis die, the death must be registered by the Vatican doctor and the cardinal camerlengo must be informed immediately, who will visit the body of the supreme pontiff and, using a silver hammer, gently tap Francis' head three times.

If the body does not respond, the cardinal must confirm the death of the Holy Father by saying a phrase in Latin: “Vere papa mortuus est” (Truly the Pope is dead).

The same cardinal camerlengo will then remove the ring from the pope's hand and destroy it with the silver hammer. At that moment, Francis' papacy will be over.

It is also said that if the Supreme Pontiff dies in his room at the Vatican, the body must be removed immediately and the room would be locked until a new pope is elected.

A meeting would take place hours later and would be attended by the camerlengo, three more cardinals and a conclave that would be in charge of the new election of the head of the Catholic Church.

Meanwhile, a Forensic Medicine Unit from the University of Rome must travel to the place of death and collect Francis' body in preparation for his funeral.

The Sistine Chapel would be the site of the ceremony and the body would rest in a coffin made of three layers: one of cypress, one of lead and one of walnut. In addition, on the last layer would be placed a crucifix and an open Bible that would accompany it to its crypt in the Vatican.

In St. Peter's Square, two black flags would be raised to announce Francis' death to the world: one on the dome of St. Peter's Basilica and the other on the bell tower. Bells would also ring in mourning.

From this moment on, a period known as the "sede vacante" begins to govern, which runs from the death of the pope until his successor is elected by means of a conclave.

During this period, the person in charge of the administration of the Holy See is the camerlengo or chamberlain, a position currently held by Cardinal Kevin Ferel, head of the Vatican's office for laity.

The College of Cardinals is due to meet in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope no later than 20 days after Francis' death.

All cardinals under the age of 80 would go there and become electors of the new head of the church.

A secret conclave, which would not be known to the public, would be in charge of the new election and the certification of the transparency of the vote.

The new pope must have the approval of two-thirds of the College of Cardinals and if elected, the voting ballots would be burned and soft smoke would rise from the chapel chimney.

In the event that an agreement is not reached, the ballots are also burned, but in this case, the smoke is black and represents that the process continues.