What is the period of time after the Pope dies called?

Answer 1

At the death of the Pope, the Cardinal Carmelengro, an official in the Vatican, must confirm the death by traditionally calling the Pope three times - although, of course, this is merely a ritual; death is confirmed by medical services at the Vatican. He then orders a death certificate and the death is made public. The Pope's apartments are sealed and his seal and ring are destroyed. The Carmelengro then makes arrangements for the funeral.

After the funeral and nine days of mourning, the Carmelengro assumes temporary headship of the Church until a new pope is elected. After the mourning period, the cardinals from across the world are called together for a secret conclave. This is a meeting where a new pope is elected. The cardinals take an oath of secrecy regarding the conclave before they begin, to avoid unnecessary gossip afterwards about who was and was not elected for whatever reason. During the conclave, the cardinals are sealed into the Vatican and actually do the voting whilst sitting in the Sistine Chapel. The voting is preceded by prayer and discusion. Each cardinal is asked to secretly vote for one person.

Once they have voted the voting papers are collected and counted. To be elected a cardinal has to receive at least two thirds of the votes. If there is a clear election, the paper are collected, mixed with chemicals (it was once wet straw) to produce white smoke. This was the signal to the people outside that a new pope has been elected. If there no clear choice, the papers are burned with no chemicals resulting in black smoke - a signal that no decision has been reached. The cardinals vote again, and continue voting, praying and discussing until a clear election has been made, unless there are an excessive number of revotes when a clear majority is then acceptable. During the conclave the cardinals are allowed no contact with the outside world. The buildings are examined for bugging devices, and the cardinals can have no mobile phones, cannot signal at windows or communicate with anyone outside in any way, to ensure secrecy.

Once a cardinal is elected, he is asked if he will accept. If so, he then chooses a name by which he will be known (eg Cardin Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II, and the present pope, Benedict, was once cardinal Josef Ratzinger).

The Cardinals in the conclave then swear allegiance to the new pope, and he is then dressed in the papal robes. Finally, the cry goes out to the people waiting outside in St Peter's Square : "Habemus Papam!!" (we have a pope!), and announces the new pope's name. The new pope then appears on the balcony to give his first papal blessing to the world.

Answer 2

The period between Popes is called an interregnum.

It is also called the Sede Vacante - empty chair.