A mourner holds a framed portrait of Pope Francis in Buenos Aires. Photo: Gustavo Garello/Associated Press

Listen to article

(2 minutes)

ROME—The Vatican is beginning the elaborate sequence of events for mourning, burying and replacing Pope Francis.

On Monday evening, some 12 hours after the pope died, the Vatican’s camerlengo, or chamberlain, is due to ceremonially certify the pontiff’s passing. By tradition, the camerlengo, American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will call out the late pope’s baptismal name, Jorge Mario, three times. On receiving no response, he will declare that the Holy See is vacant.

Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8