The Real Conclave: Introduction
The Moment the Pope Dies.
Note: What follows is a work of fiction but based on the actual processes undertaken upon the death of a pope.
The death of a pope is always a moment of immense significance, but when that pope is Francis—one of the most controversial figures ever to sit on the Chair of St. Peter—the event becomes even more consequential. His reign has left the Catholic Church deeply divided, torn between those who champion his progressive agenda and those who believe he has steered the Church toward dangerous waters. Now, with his passing, the Church stands at a crossroads. What happens next will shape the future of Catholicism for generations to come.
The Official Process Begins
It is just past 3:30 a.m. at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis has been receiving treatment for a worsening respiratory infection. The past few weeks have been marked by hope and anxiety, with Vatican officials and medical experts carefully monitoring the pontiff’s fragile condition. Though there had been brief signs of improvement, the reality was clear—his body was failing.
The intensive care unit where Francis lies is eerily quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor beside his bed. Each pulse is marked by a soft electronic tone, its steady rhythm reassuring the medical staff that the Supreme Pontiff still clings to life. Oxygen tubes rest beneath his nostrils, and an intravenous drip feeds him fluids. Nurses check in regularly, adjusting his blankets, ensuring his comfort.
Then, the sound changes.
A rapid beeping breaks the silence—a warning. The Pope’s oxygen saturation levels have plummeted. The heart monitor, once steady, begins to stutter. A nurse rushes to his bedside, her eyes darting between the vital signs displayed on the screen. His blood pressure is dropping. His breathing is shallow.
The alarm sounds.
Within seconds, a team of doctors and nurses swarm into the room. Orders are given in rapid Italian. A defibrillator is wheeled in. One doctor shakes Francis gently, calling out to him.
“Sua Santità! Sua Santità!”
No response.
The doctors act fast. A nurse begins chest compressions, her hands pressing firmly against the Pope’s frail chest. Another prepares an adrenaline injection, hoping to shock his failing heart back to life.
But the monitors tell the truth before anyone else can.
The heart monitor lets out a long, steady tone. A flatline.
The medical staff pause. The attending physician, his face grave, checks Francis’ pupils with a flashlight. He places two fingers on the Pope’s neck, searching for any sign of a pulse.
None.
He looks up, exhales deeply, and nods. “Ora di morte, 3:47 a.m.” The time of death is recorded.
A nurse silently makes the sign of the cross.
The Camerlengo Arrives
The Vatican Secretary of State is informed immediately. The call is placed to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
Farrell wakes to the shrill ring of his phone in his Vatican residence. He listens intently to the news before offering a simple response: “I am on my way.”
His position is one of immense importance. As Camerlengo, Farrell is now the most powerful man in the Vatican until a new pope is elected. His duties are precise and ancient—he must officially confirm the Pope’s death, secure the Vatican, and oversee the transition to the next papacy.
Yet Farrell himself is no stranger to controversy. Once an ally of the disgraced Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Farrell has faced scrutiny for his past associations. Now, regardless of his history, the burden of the Church’s future rests in his hands.
Upon his arrival at Gemelli Hospital, Farrell is escorted to the private suite where Francis’ body lies. The room is still and solemn. The Pope’s rosary remains clutched in his hands, his face now peaceful in death.
Following ancient tradition, Farrell takes a small silver hammer from his robes. He leans forward and gently taps the Pope’s forehead three times. His voice, solemn and steady, fills the room.
“Jorge Mario Bergoglio, are you there?”
Silence.
The Camerlengo turns and nods to his assistants. Pope Francis is dead.
The Fisherman’s Ring is Destroyed
The Fisherman’s Ring, the golden seal of the Pope’s authority, is removed from his finger. This ring, used to sign official papal documents, must be ceremonially destroyed to prevent any misuse or forgery.
A Vatican aide produces a ceremonial hammer. Farrell raises it and brings it down upon the ring. The gold cracks under the blow. With each strike, the authority of Francis' papacy is symbolically brought to an end.
By dawn, Francis is no longer Supreme Pontiff. The See of Peter is vacant.
The News Spreads
At exactly 6:00 a.m., the Vatican Press Office releases an official statement:
"With deep sorrow, we announce that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has returned to the House of the Lord. The Catholic Church enters a period of mourning and prayer as we prepare for the election of a new Supreme Pontiff."
The world reacts instantly.
In St. Peter’s Square, the faithful gather. Some fall to their knees, weeping. Others clutch rosaries, murmuring prayers for the soul of their departed pope.
News channels worldwide interrupt their broadcasts with breaking news alerts. Leaders from across the globe send their condolences. Journalists and commentators scramble to assess Francis’ legacy.
Yet while some mourn, others quietly acknowledge what his death represents.
For conservative Catholics, Francis’ passing signals an opportunity—perhaps even a divine intervention.
A Church at a Crossroads
Even in death, Francis remains a figure of division. His decade-long papacy was defined by unprecedented upheaval.
His legacy is undeniable:
Fiducia Supplicans – The approval of same-sex blessings, which conservatives decried as doctrinally unsound.
The suppression of the Traditional Latin Mass – A direct attack on traditionalists, undoing Benedict XVI’s policies.
The German Church’s rebellion – Bishops openly defying Catholic doctrine, pushing for female ordination and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The Pachamama scandal – The controversial introduction of a pagan idol into Vatican ceremonies.
The Vatican’s deal with Communist China – A secretive agreement that betrayed underground Chinese Catholics, condemned by Cardinal Joseph Zen.
The McCarrick scandal – Francis’ failure to act decisively against abuse within the Church.
For progressives, these were acts of bold reform. For traditionalists, they were evidence of a Church in crisis.
Now, with Francis gone, the battle over his legacy is about to explode into the open.
The Conclave Approaches
As the day unfolds, cardinals from across the world begin their journeys to Rome. Some come in solemn mourning. Others, with quiet resolve, prepare for the greatest battle of their careers.
The progressive faction of the Church immediately works to secure a successor who will continue Francis' revolution. The conservative wing, long suppressed, sees a chance for restoration.
The centrists, ever cautious, will ultimately decide the outcome.
As the sun sets over St. Peter’s Basilica, a singular question looms:
Will the Catholic Church continue Francis' revolution, or will it return to tradition?
The battle for the soul of the Catholic Church is about to begin.