Gov. Cox orders flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox ordered Utah and U.S. flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis, who died the morning of April 21. 

According to Cox’s office, flags outside of government buildings should be lowered immediately. They will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day that Pope Francis is interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. 

His order is similar to the one issued by President Donald Trump earlier in the day. 

The Vatican has not announced funeral arrangements yet. However, according to Catholic tradition, a service will take place between four and six days after the pontiff’s death. 

Gov. Cox has invited citizens, businesses, and organizations to fly their flags at half-staff as well. 

What happens after a pope dies?

The Vatican follows direct rules between the death of a pope and the naming of his successor.

Earlier Monday, Pope Francis’ apartment was sealed by a red ribbon and wax by the camerlengo, a cardinal appointed by the pope to oversee funeral preparations and day-to-day church operations until a new pope has been chosen. 

According to the U.S. Catholic web site, cardinals act as advisors to the pope. 

Francis appointed Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a former Dallas bishop who was born in Ireland as camerlengo in 2019. 

 

According to CBS News, the papal ring is also defaced after his death, marking the end of his reign. 

Each pope wears a unique ring, engraved with an image of a man fishing — a nod to the gospel of Matthew. Francis received the ring when he was named pope in 2013. 

The ring will be destroyed, reports the Daily Mail. Traditionally, it has been destroyed to prevent misuse. 

Additionally, the College of Cardinals is summoned to the Vatican following the death of a pope. 

Pope Francis will lie in state until his funeral. Members of the public will be welcome to pay respects. 

Beginning with the funeral service, the Catholic church will enter a nine-day mourning period known as novendiales. Each day, a cardinal will perform a service for the late pope. 

After Pope Francis’ funeral

After Francis has been laid to rest, the College of Cardinals will begin the conclave — the process for choosing a pope’s successor. During that time, the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals meet, will be closed to the public. 

College of Cardinal members under the age of 80 are eligible. 

The last time a conclave was held after a pope’s death was in 2005. It began 16 days after Pope John Paul II died. 

It should be noted that the last conclave was held in 2013. However, that scenario was different, as Pope Benedict XVI resigned — a decision only 6 of the 266 popes in history have made.

Francis was chosen 13 days after Benedict’s resignation. As the cardinals voted, people across the world watched for white smoke via live-stream. 

It took a little over 24 hours for Francis to be selected. Pope Benedict XVI’s conclave lasted two days. 

During the conclave, cardinals will cast votes with ballots. After secretly casting them, they turn them over to scrutineers, who read them aloud to the group. The process continues until one has received at least two-thirds of the votes. 

Between ballot cycles, old votes will be burned, creating smoke signals to notify the public of progress. If black smoke is seen rising from the chapel chimney, no pope has been elected. Contrarily, white smoke means a decision has been reached. 

After a new pope has been elected and accepted the title, he will choose his name. Then, he will dress in papal garments and make his debut. 

Related: Utahns reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis after his death