What happens when a Pope dies? The Vatican proclaims a nine-day period of mourning.

Chains are hung across the door of the Vatican palace to signify that there is a stoppage of activity on account of the Pope’s death.

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The doors of St. Peter’s Basilica are half-closed. When he is buried, the medals and coins minted in his honor are buried with him, stressing the dictum, "All glory leads but to the grave."

Likewise, the Fisherman’s Ring which he had worn is broken with hammer and chisel. And the Vatican white-and-yellow flag is flown at half mast.

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The written "spiritual testament" is also opened and made public.

When Pope Paul VI died, the testament mentioned, among other things, that he was asking pardon for his failings.

He also wished that his funeral be simple, that his casket be of unadorned wood, and that he be buried in the earth, wishing "no special tomb or monument."

"I intend to die poor and so simplify all matters of this kind."

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After the Pope is buried, a conclave is called. A conclave is a canonical assembly of cardinals who meet for the purpose of electing a Pope.

Conclave comes from the Latin words "cum clave," which literally means "with key." It refers to the "shutting up" of the cardinal electors within the duration of the election.

It is said that this "shutting up" ensued due to a historical precedent in 1271 wherein there was a delay of two years and nine months before a Pope was elected.

So the authorities decided to "shut up the cardinals in closed quarters" and gradually decreased food supply in order to force an early decision.

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Pope XXIII directed that cardinals from all over the world assemble 15 days after the death of a Pope and therein elect a successor.

The conclave that elected Pope John Paul I was one of the briefest in papal history. John Paul II was elected in two days of voting.

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Earlier conclaves ranged from a few hours to days and weeks. But, the longest of them all was the conclave that elected Gregroy X, two years and nine months (1268-1271). This prompted the "shutting up" of the electors and decreasing food supply, as mentioned earlier.

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THE LIGHTER SIDE. The papacy is not just a lofty office but a very lonesome office for the occupant.

A joke went around that Pope John Paul I died, not of any lingering illness nor of heart attack, but of loneliness!

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One morning when Pope John Paul II was served breakfast, he was left alone because protocol dictated so. He called one of the nuns and asked her if there were priests or prelates waiting.

"Yes, Your Holiness, there are." The Pope said, "Please tell them to have breakfast with me."

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PAPAL BOOK. You may want to read more about Pope John Paul II.

The late F.C. Borlongan and I authored a booklet entitled, "Untold Stories About The Pope."

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