Francis Is in Critical Condition. What Happens When a Pope Dies?

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, is currently in critical condition. The 85-year-old pontiff has been battling health issues for some time, and his condition has taken a turn for the worse in recent days. As the world waits anxiously for updates on his condition, many are wondering what will happen if Pope Francis does not recover.

When a pope dies, the Vatican follows a strict protocol to ensure a smooth transition of power. The death of a pope is typically announced by the Vatican spokesman, who informs the world of the pontiff’s passing. The College of Cardinals, the group of high-ranking bishops who are responsible for electing a new pope, then gathers in Rome for the papal conclave.

During the conclave, the cardinals are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, where they vote on who will become the next pope. In order to be elected, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority vote from the cardinals. Once a new pope has been chosen, white smoke is released from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel to signal to the world that a new pontiff has been elected.

The newly-elected pope then chooses a papal name and is officially inaugurated in a ceremony known as the Papal Inauguration Mass. The new pope is then introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he delivers his first papal blessing.

The death of a pope is a solemn and historic event, as it marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church. As the world waits for updates on Pope Francis’s condition, many are keeping him in their thoughts and prayers, hoping for a swift recovery. Should the worst happen, the Vatican is prepared to follow its strict protocol to ensure a smooth transition of power and the election of a new pope.