The Vatican administration will be under the command of Cardinal ‘Camerlengo’ during the nine days of funeral ceremonies and a period of 15 to 20 days to organize a conclave to elect a new pontiff
After the death of the, the administration of the matters of the It will be temporarily under the command of Cardinal Camerlengo during the nine days of funeral ceremonies and a period of 15 to 20 days to organize a conclave to elect a new pontiff. The Camerlengo, a position that will be assumed by 77 -year -old Irish Cardinal Kevin Farrell -elected for office in February 2019 -will act as an “interim” pope, responsible for managing the church until the election of a new pontiff, although with reduced powers.
All authorities of the “government” of the Church, that is, the Roman Curia, should leave office after the Pope’s death, leaving only Cardinal Camarlengo to manage the institution’s daily affairs. The word “camerlengo” is derived from the Italian term “camera”, which means chamber. It describes a purely administrative function that gains prominence when a Pope dies.
With the help of the cardinals present -gathered in the “congregation” -this new temporary leader defines the date of the funeral ceremonies and the convening of the conclave. But Camerlengo and Cardinals cannot make any decision whose validity exceeds the duration of St. Peter’s throne or invaded the Pope’s exclusive prerogatives, such as the nomination of cardinals.
Camerlengo is also responsible for verifying and notifying the Pope’s death. Even Pius XII, who died in 1958, confirmation of the death of the Church head was made with the help of a small silver hammer by beating this instrument on the forehead of the Supreme Pontiff to make sure he was dead. The camerlengo symbolically took possession of the papal properties, the apostolic palace at the Vatican, the Lateran Palace – the headquarters of the diocese of Rome – and Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the popes.
This important position also calls on cardinals, known as “congregations”, in which they decide with them the day and time of exposure of the deceased pontiff’s remains, the date of the funeral – which should take place between the fourth and sixth day after death – and the organization of nine -day mourning ceremonies. Another of its functions is to set the date for the beginning of the conclave, which should start at least 15 days and a maximum of 20 days after the death of the Supreme Pontiff.
The funeral ceremonies are held at the São Pedro Basilica, except in the case of testamentary provisions to the contrary. Francisco announced at the end of 2023 his desire to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, that is, outside the Vatican. On February 22, 1996, John Paul II promulgated the apostolic constitution “Universid Dominici Gregis” on the vacancy of the apostolic See and the election of the Roman Pontiff, which establishes all deadlines for events after the Pope’s death.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Carolina Ferreira
