ROME, Italy.-The funeral for Pope Francis, who died on April 21 from an apparent stroke at the age of 88, will be livestreamed on the Vatican’s YouTube channel on April 26.
The Pontiff’s death came a day after his appearance at Easter Sunday services and follows a prolonged hospitalization earlier in the month.
Liam Cary, the Bishop of the Diocese of Baker, which includes Hermiston, Pendleton and most of Eastern Oregon, publicly released the following statement following Pope Francis’ death:
The Diocese of Baker joins in the world-wide mourning over the death of Pope Francis. We accompany him on his journey home to the Father with our prayers that he receive a kindly welcome from the Redeemer and Judge Whose mercy he proclaimed so widely and well as our pope.
And we add our prayers of gratitude for the superhuman burden of responsibility he so tirelessly bore on our behalf as Chief Shepherd of the Church.
That weight has now been lifted from his shoulders. May he rest in peace.
Selecting a new Pope
Following the death of a Pope, the Dean of the College of Cardinals summons Cardinals from all over the world to Rome for a conclave to elect a new Pope.
According to the Vatican, a Cardinal must be younger than 80-years-old to be eligible to vote during the Conclave. Currently 135 Cardinals are eligible to be electors during the Conclave that will be called following Pope Francis’ death.
Conclaves typically start 15-20 days after the death of a Pope and are largely held in secrecy.
Cardinals are sequestered during the Conclave and four-rounds of voting are held each day until one candidate receives the 2/3 majority needed to be named the new Pope.
Ballots are burned after each round of voting, and either black or white smoke is released through a chimney above St. Peter’s Square, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Black smoke signifies that no one has reached the necessary majority, while white smoke means a new Pope has been elected.
Whoever eventually gets the necessary votes to be the next Pope is asked two questions in the Conclave, “Do you accept?” and “What will your name be?”
If the person chosen accepts the role and its duties, then they will choose a name to serve under as Pope. In 2013 Jorge Bergoglio chose Pope Francis as his name upon election.
When white smoke comes from the chimney the Vatican announces “Habemus Papam,” which means “We have a Pope” in Latin, over the loudspeakers in St. Peter’s Square before the new Pontiff makes his first public appearance.
