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Vatican City, 2nd April 2005 (CNA)
- According to the Apostolic Constitution
Apostólica Universi Dominici Gregis issued by Pope
John Paul II in 1996, the confirming of the death
of a Pontiff includes an ancient tradition: The
death of the Pope is verified by the Cardinal
Camerlengo, Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo, who
is to gently strike the Pope's head with a small
silver hammer and call out his Christian name
three times.
This tradition is observed after doctors
officially confirm the Pope’s passing. The
Camerlengo then must declare the Pope's death in
the presence of the Master of Papal Liturgical
Celebrations, Archbishop Piero Marini, and of the
Cleric Prelates, Secretary and Chancellor of the
Apostolic Camera. The Cardinal Camerlengo takes
possession of the Fisherman's Ring worn by the
Pope; the Ring, along with the papal seal, is
later destroyed before the College of
Cardinals. The papal apartments at the
Vatican and at Castelgandolfo are also sealed
off.
The Cardinal Camerlengo also informs the
Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who then
communicates the news to the people of
Rome.
The Dean of the College of Cardinals,
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, has the task of
communicating the Pope’s death to the rest of the
Cardinals throughout the world, to the diplomatic
corps and to heads of states.
Although the mourning of the Pope will last
nine days, his remains will be buried between the
fourth and the sixth day after his
death. |
