Ciao Andiamo, along with the whole world, mourns the recent passing of Pope Francis. It is truly a memorable event, the impact felt even more acutely because of the timing – one day after Easter during a Jubilee year that the Pope himself initiated.
A Time of Mourning and Meaning
The passing of a Pope is a profound moment not just for the Catholic Church and community, but also for the city of Rome and the world at large. Immediately after the death of a Pope, ceremonial traditions begin and the city of Rome transforms. It is a mournful, reverent, and deeply moving time.
The Funeral and Closures in Vatican City
The funeral of Pope Francis will take place at 10am local time on Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. On this day, St. Peter’s Basilica and all of the museums in Vatican City will be closed in honor of the Pope and to accommodate the day’s ceremonies. We will be sharing updates directly will all of our travelers who are impacted by these events.
The Conclave and the Selection of the Next Pope
The Conclave is the secretive and storied process for selecting a new Pope. During this period, more than one hundred cardinals from all over the world will come to Vatican City to participate in this tradition.
The Conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo’s majestic ceiling frescoes. To prepare for the Conclave, Vatican staff will remove or disable all forms of communication with the outside world. They will install wooden desks in the chapel for each cardinal elector, as well as the iconic stove from which black or white smoke 
will rise.
Once the preparations are complete, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations will proclaim Extra Omnes, which means “everyone out” in Latin. At this point, only the electing cardinals remain and the doors of the chapel will be closed, marking the official start of the Conclave.
From that moment until a new Pope has been selected, the cardinals will be completely isolated from the outside world. They will swear an oath of secrecy and loyalty, and begin a process of voting to select the next Pope. A two-thirds majority is required to approve a Pope. When this majority is not reached, the ballots are burned, sending black smoke outside above the chapel and alerting the world that the process continues. When a new Pope is successfully elected, white smoke will rise into the sky above Vatican City.
No one knows how long the Conclave will last. It can be days or weeks, or even years – although this is highly unlikely in the modern era. In fact, the longest papal election in Catholic Church history lasted nearly three years, from November 1268 to September 1271. However long it lasts, we can expect everyone in the world to be watching and waiting to see the famed white smoke in the air.
Visiting Vatican City During the Conclave
Beginning Monday, April 28, the Sistine Chapel, which typically welcomes millions of visitors each year, will be closed to the public to get ready for the Conclave. Once the preparations are completed and all cardinal electors have arrived in Vatican City, the Conclave will begin.
During the period of the Conclave, the Sistine Chapel will remain closed, but all other museums in Vatican City will be open. It will also be possible to experience a full-scale replica of Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment. Our expert guides will walk travelers through its meaning and symbolism, sharing its artistic and spiritual impact despite the challenges.
A Moment in History
During this historic period, Rome will again be the Caput Mundi, or capital of the world, hosting more than 170 delegations from across the globe – including kings, prime ministers, and the most important leaders. Security will be robust to maintain secrecy and protect the Conclave process. Security measures include jamming devices, electronic bug sweeps, restricted communication, and physical barriers.
For travelers in Rome, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness history in the making. With a local guide by your side, you’ll have the chance to experience what few tourists ever see: how ancient rituals and modern life intersect during this sacred transition.
