The Process Of Selecting A New Pope After The Death Of Pope Francis

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday. The Vatican says that he might be buried on Saturday. After the death or resignation of a Pope, the process of selecting a new one starts. It is one of the most secretive processes in the world that has been going on for more than 2,000 years.

The next pope will be chosen by the College of Cardinals, the Catholic church’s most senior figures appointed by the pontiff. They have already made their way to Rome for the conclave.

There are more than 250 cardinals from more than 90 countries, but only about 135 are cardinal electors (Those above the age of 80 years are not allowed). About 110 of the cardinal electors have been chosen by Francis in the past 10 years.

Once the cardinals are assembled in Rome, usually 15-20 days after the pope’s death, they gather under Michelangelo’s magnificent painted ceiling in the Sistine Chapel to begin their deliberations. After the words extra omnes – everyone out – are declared, referring to all but voting cardinals and a handful of officials and doctors, the doors are locked. Nobody is allowed in, and nobody is allowed out.

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The cardinals swear an oath of absolute secrecy, and are permitted no contact with the outside world for the duration of the election process. Their phones are removed, and no newspapers, television, letters or messages are allowed. The chapel is also swept for listening devices before and during the conclave.

The conclave begins with a celebration of mass, after which deliberations and voting begin. Votes are taken each day, morning and afternoon, until a candidate wins a two-thirds majority. There is a day’s break for prayer and reflection after every seven ballots. It can take days. The longest in history took 5 days.

Any baptized male can be elected as pope, although a serving cardinal is invariably chosen. Each elector is given a ballot card with the words eligo in summum pontificem (I elect as supreme pontiff) printed at the top. They insert the name of their choice, fold the card, and drop it into a chalice.

After each round of voting, the ballot cards are burned. Chemicals are added to make the smoke black or white. Black smoke emerging from the 60-foot chimney indicates an inconclusive ballot; white smoke announces to the world that a new pope has been elected.

The successful candidate is asked if he accepts election and, if so, which name he chooses to take as pontiff. The cardinals pledge obedience to the new pope, who is led into the adjacent Room of Tears to be dressed in a white cassock and skull cap, and red slippers. Three sets of vestments in different sizes will have been made by Vatican tailors in advance.

The dean of the cardinals steps onto the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, in front of which thousands of Catholic devotees and tourists will be gathered. The dean will declare: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam” – “I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope.”

This story first appeared HERE.

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