By Christopher Sunday 
voxnews.com.ng
This morning, the bells of St. Peter’s tolled with a solemn echo—news broke that the Holy Father has passed on. A man once chosen from among men, now returned to the Father of All. The date, etched with both sorrow and serenity, coincides with the celebration of Galilee Day—a day symbolizing new beginnings, divine encounters, and the call to mission. Perhaps it is fitting, then, that a man whose life echoed Christ’s message would breathe his last on such a day.
With his passing, the Catholic Church formally enters a period known as Sede Vacante—the seat of the papacy stands vacant. From this moment, the meticulous order of the Church comes alive. The Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin, assumes temporary oversight of the Vatican’s daily affairs. The late Pope’s papal ring is ceremoniously destroyed, and his name is no longer mentioned during Mass—signs that a new chapter must begin.
The world watches in reverent silence as the Church prepares for transition. The College of Cardinals will begin converging on the Eternal City. No speeches. No campaigns. Just solemn prayer, holy silence, and the quiet weight of destiny. The Sistine Chapel will once again become a sacred theatre of divine choice, where ballots will be cast beneath Michelangelo’s timeless ceiling.
Inside, the ritual is as ancient as it is precise. Four ballots may be cast daily. After each round, the paper ballots are burned—producing either black smoke, signaling indecision, or white smoke, proclaiming that a new shepherd has been chosen. Outside, pilgrims will wait with bated breath, and cameras will zoom in on the chimney, as the entire world holds its collective breath.
The chosen man, still dressed in cardinal red, will be led into the Room of Tears, where the weight of the moment often brings even the strongest to weep. He will choose a papal name—one that reflects his mission, his vision, and his hope. Then, clothed in white, he will step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The words Habemus Papam! will be declared to the world. The bells will ring again, but this time, in joy.
And thus, as one era ends, another begins. The Church, ever guided by the Holy Spirit, moves forward. The memory of the departed Pope will linger in hearts, while the world looks to the future with faith. It is on days like these—solemn, sacred, and steeped in tradition—that the Catholic Church shows not only her resilience but her eternal rhythm of death and resurrection.
