Many people want to know what exactly would happen if the Pope died. In fact, there seems to be a very detailed plan.
Many great characters even have a detailed plan to implement after their disappearance. One of the most recent examples is the plan that follows the death of Queen Elizabeth II. On this occasion it was called “Operation London Bridge” and was active from the moment the Queen’s death was declared to the celebration of the funeral.
Protocols in case of death of the Pope (photo by ansa) – il granata.it
The first stages of the plan involved a series of phone calls with the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary and ministers. The 51 states that belong to the Commonwealth were then informed. Then the second phase began of the plan on D-Day, i.e. the first day without the Queen.
The plan is to be implemented after the death of the Pope
When the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. was announced, the organizational machinery of the famous plan to be implemented in the event of the Pope’s death was immediately set in motion. The plan consists of a series of protocols and traditions what needs to be respected.
The plan of Pope Emeritus Joseph Ratzinger, who died December 31, 2021, was quite unique as he had not been Pope for about 10 years. On that occasion, the first announcement was made by the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, who announced that the Pope Emeritus had died at 9:34 am at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
Protocols in case of death of the Pope (photo by ansa) – il granata.it
Of course, the announcement set in motion the organizational machinery, which consisted of many rituals, protocols, and traditions. But what happens after the disappearance of a pope? First of all, you must have this official proof of his death, then the responsible cardinal of the finances of the Holy See seals the Pope’s rooms and at the same time the Vicar of Rome spreads the word throughout the world. Then a door of St. Peter’s Basilica closes and the bells begin to ring.
The body of the Pope is prepared for three days and presented to all the faithful. The cardinals, on the other hand, must celebrate the Novendiali for nine days in the suffrage of the soul. In addition, they must also smash the Pope’s ringreceived when he became Pope.
The funeral is then celebrated in the presence of the heads of state, the delegates from the various countries and the faithful. Finally, after the ceremony, the body is enclosed in three boxes made of cypress, lead and walnut wood and a silk veil is placed over the face. Everything is in the Vatican Grottoes, just below St. Peter’s Basilica.