Pope Francis’ tomb is open to visitation and church prepares for conclave

Pope Francis’ tomb was opened on Sunday (27) for public visitation in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maior, in Rome. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who died last Friday (25), was buried on Saturday (26) in a ceremony that brought together state leaders and religious authorities from around the world.

Francisco, known for the strong devotion to the Virgin Mary, had a special connection with the Basilica. Before and after each international trip, he used to say prayers at the site, which, despite being in Rome, is considered Vatican territory. Seven popes, the last of them Clemente IX in 1669, have already been buried in the church, which also houses the tomb of sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

With the burial of Francis, the Catholic Church begins the traditional nine -day mourning period, necessary before the election of the new Pope. Conclave, responsible for choosing the next pontiff, can start from May 5, but the date can be anticipated if all cardinals are already in the Vatican.

Currently, the College of Cardinals has 252 members, of which 135 are under 80 years old and therefore can vote. Among them, seven are Brazilians:

• Sérgio da RochaBrazilian Primate and Archbishop of Salvador, 65 years old;
• Jaime SpenglerPresident of CNBB and Archbishop of Porto Alegre, 64 years old;
• Odilo SchererArchbishop of São Paulo, 75 years old;
• Orani stormArchbishop of Rio de Janeiro, 74 years old;
• Paulo Cezar CostaArchbishop of Brasilia, 57 years old;
• João Braz de AvizArchbishop Emeritus of Brasilia, 77 years old;
• Leonardo Ulrich SteinerArchbishop of Manaus, 74 years old.

Two cardinals, Spaniard Antonio Cañizares Llovera and Bosnius Vinko Puljic, have already announced that they should not participate, which can weaken the conservative block in the conclave.

The election occurs in the Sistine Chapel, in secret daily sessions. For a cardinal to be elected, it must receive two thirds of the votes. If the current number of voters remains in 133, 89 votes will be required to choose the new Pope. If after several rounds of voting there is no consensus, the process provides for the dispute between the two most voted cardinals.

Historically, recent concludes were fast: Pope Francis, for example, was elected in just two days in 2013. However, there were already papal elections that lasted months. The Holy See’s press calendar indicates that the funeral and conclave period should take place by May 11, but the official date for the election of the new Pope has not yet been set.

Meanwhile, faithful from around the world pay their last honors to Pope Francis, visiting his grave and participating in the mourning ceremonies that will mark the closure of one of the most relevant pontificates in the Church’s recent history.

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with agencies