The coming days and months in the Vatican will obviously depend on the wishes of whomever the Holy Spirit chooses as the next Pontiff. It is expected that the jubilee events already scheduled will continue, even if in a reduced format.
It is also possible, if perhaps difficult in terms of organization, that the new pope will make his first international trip to Turkey at the end of May to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.
Here's a look at some of the main dates on the calendar.
April
Sunday, April 27
Second day of the novendiales – which began with the funeral of Pope Francis. Mass celebrated for Vatican employees and faithful at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Square by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State, with some 80,000 teens in Rome for the Jubilee for Adolescents.
St. Mary Major reopens to the public and access to the tomb of Pope Francis is possible.
In the afternoon, at 4:00 p.m., the cardinals are scheduled to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Pope Francis.
Monday, April 28
Fifth General Congregation of Cardinals at 9:00 a.m.
Third day of the novena. Mass at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica for the faithful of Rome. Celebrated by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar for the Diocese of Rome.
Jubilee Mass for people with disabilities at 5:00 p.m. in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, presided over by Archbishop Fisichella.
Tuesday, April 29
Fourth day of the novena. At 5:00 p.m., in St. Peter's Basilica. For the chapters of the papal basilicas. Celebrated by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica.
No official information on the schedule of a General Congregation. (The same applies to the following days).
Wednesday, April 30
Fifth day of the novena. At 5:00 p.m., in St. Peter's Basilica. For the Papal Chapel. Celebrated by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice-dean of the College of Cardinals.
May
During the month of May, the Vatican was scheduled to publish a document on the implementation phase of the Synod on the Future of the Church, which Pope Francis launched until 2028.
Thursday, May 1
Sixth day of the novendiales. At 5:00 p.m., in St. Peter's Basilica. For the Roman Curia. Celebrated by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Roman Church.
Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Holiday in the Vatican.
May 1-4
The Jubilee of Workers held in a reduced format.
Friday, May 2
Seventh day of the novena. At 5:00 p.m., in St. Peter's Basilica. For the Eastern Churches. Celebrated by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, former prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
Saturday, May 3
Eighth day of the novena. At 5:00 p.m., in St. Peter's Basilica. For members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life. Celebrated by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, former pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
The beatification in Ukraine of Father Pietro Paolo Oros has been postponed.
May 4–5
The Jubilee for the World of Business held in a reduced format.
Sunday, May 4
Ninth day of the novendiales. At 5:00 p.m., in St. Peter's Basilica. For the Papal Chapel. Celebrated by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals.
Monday, May 5
With the novendiales over, the conclave could begin.
Tuesday, May 6
The swearing-in of the new Swiss Guards has been postponed.
May 10–11
Jubilee of musical ensembles.
May 12–14
Jubilee of the Eastern Churches.
Sunday, May 17
The beatification of Camille Costa de Beauregard in Chambéry has been postponed.
May 16–18
Jubilee of the confraternities.
May 24
Around this date, the Vatican was considering a trip by Pope Francis to Turkey to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
May 30–June 1
Jubilee for families, children, grandparents, and the elderly.
June
June 7-8
Jubilee for movements, associations, and new communities. Pentecost Vigil in St. Peter's Square on June 7 at 8 p.m.
June 9
Jubilee of the Holy See. Mass in St. Peter's Square at 11:30 a.m.
June 14-15
Jubilee of Sports. Mass in St. Peter's Square on June 15 at 9:30 a.m.
June 20-22
Jubilee of Public Authorities.
June 23-24
Jubilee of Seminarians.
June 25
Jubilee of Bishops.
June 26-27
Jubilee of Priests. Mass in St. Peter's Square scheduled for June 27 at 9:30 a.m., with priestly ordinations.
Sunday, June 29
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
JULY
July 28–August 3
Jubilee for young people. Canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati scheduled for August 3. (The canonization of Carlo Acutis on April 27 has been postponed and may take place during this Jubilee).
