1. The First Nine Days

When a pope dies, ancient traditions begin immediately. A silver hammer strikes his forehead three times. His ring is destroyed. Within hours, over one hundred cardinals begin traveling to Rome from every corner of the globe. In this episode, we explore the crucial first nine days after a pope's death - from the precise protocols of confirming death, to the elaborate funeral preparations, to the behind-the-scenes machinations that begin as soon as the throne of Saint Peter becomes vacant.

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