On April 26, 2025, Pope Francis' funeral took place in a solemn ceremony that drew an estimated 400,000 attendees, marking a historic moment in the Vatican and the global Catholic community. The event saw dignitaries, clergy, and faithful from around the world gather to pay their final respects to the beloved pontiff, who had served as a guiding figure for millions.
The funeral was held at St. Peter's Basilica, where the Pope's casket was placed for viewing. The emotional atmosphere was palpable as attendees included both the powerful and the humble, from world leaders to young pilgrims in Rome for the Jubilee of Adolescents. The final farewell was a poignant moment, as the casket was tilted before the Salus Populi Romani, symbolizing the Pope's last journey and his deep connection to the Virgin Mary, whom he often turned to before embarking on travels.
Following the funeral, a nine-day period of mourning known as the "Novendiali" commenced on April 27, 2025. This tradition, deeply rooted in Vatican customs, involves daily masses in suffrage of the deceased Pope. The first mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on April 27, presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State. The mass will welcome employees and faithful of the Vatican City, as well as youth attending the Jubilee.
The Novendiali schedule includes a series of masses dedicated to different groups connected to Pope Francis, with each day featuring a new cardinal presiding over the service. On April 28, Cardinal Baldassare Reina will lead the mass for the Diocese of Rome; on April 29, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti will preside over the service for the Chapters of the Papal Basilicas; and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri will lead the mass on April 30. The following days will see masses led by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, and Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, concluding the Novendiali on May 4.
As the Novendiali unfold, the preparations for the conclave to elect the new Pope will also begin. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, one of the electors, indicated that the conclave is expected to last only a few days. He emphasized the need for the future Pope to be communicative and to prioritize the credibility of the Gospel. "The feelings of the people of God cannot be ignored by the cardinals," he remarked, highlighting the importance of understanding the current sentiments within the Church.
The conclave is set to commence between May 5 and May 10, 2025, as per the liturgical guidelines that dictate it should occur within 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death. Cardinal electors will gather in Rome, where they will stay at Casa Santa Marta, the residence chosen by Pope Francis during his papacy. Before entering the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals will participate in a mass led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.
During the conclave, the cardinal electors will don their choir robes and process to the Sistine Chapel, where they will cast their votes in secrecy. The maximum number of elector cardinals is set at 120, although currently, there are 135 eligible voters. The cardinals will be sworn to secrecy, with the phrase "extra omnes" marking the official start of the conclave, locking the doors to the chapel to prevent any outside communication.
Once voting begins, if no candidate receives the necessary votes, the ballots will be burned with a mixture that produces black smoke, signaling to the outside world that no Pope has yet been elected. Conversely, if a candidate is elected, the ballots will be burned with a white dye, producing the iconic white smoke that announces the election of a new Pope.
As anticipation builds ahead of the conclave, betting markets have already begun to speculate on potential candidates. Internationally, over $4.5 million has been wagered on platforms like Polymarket, despite the fact that betting on papal elections is prohibited in Italy. Bookmakers have identified Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the leading contenders, with Parolin holding a 35% chance of election and Tagle at 25%. Other names in the mix include Peter Erdo, Jose Tolentino, Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Peter Turkson, and Robert Sarah. Even two former archbishops, Angelo Scola and Marc Ouellet, both over 80, are being considered, despite not participating in the conclave.
As the days progress, the Vatican will manage public interest and activities surrounding the conclave, ensuring that the faithful can gather to witness the historic moment when the new Pope is announced. The Prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini, noted the importance of managing the crowds as they await the white smoke signaling the new pontiff's election. "We will initiate specific activities next week for this and for Santa Maria Maggiore, which will become a focal point for attention," he stated.
The world watches with bated breath as the Catholic Church prepares for this significant transition, and the Novendiali serves as a poignant reminder of the legacy of Pope Francis and the enduring faith of the Church. As the conclave approaches, the anticipation surrounding the election of the new Pope continues to grow, encapsulating the hopes and prayers of millions around the globe.
