Anticipatory addition of a chimney within Sistine Chapel in preparation for the conclave.
Gearing Up for the Vatican Showdown
Five days into the game, the Vatican sets up a chimney at the Sistine Chapel's peak on May 2nd. Each round of cardinal votes, secretly held, concludes with the ballots being burnt in a stove. The chimney, visible from St. Peter's Square, sends out black smoke if no new pope emerges, or white smoke in case of an election, spiced up with chemical additives.
The global cardinals, summoned to Rome post-Pope Francis' demise on April 21st (at 88 years old), tighten their belts from May 7th. The 135 "Church's princes" (aged under 80 and eligible to elect their next leader), minus two due to health issues, lock horns, starting from voting procedures hidden behind closed doors, anticipated to last several days.
Day one commences with one vote, followed by a double-header (morning and afternoon). To become the pope, a candidate needs a two-thirds majority (at least 89 votes). If no candidate garners enough votes in the first morning round, it's on to the next round - only then does the smoke signal kick in. If there's no result after three days, a pause for prayers takes place, followed by more rounds until the final election.
The die is cast following a stringent protocol laid out under Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici gregis[4]:
Voting Process
- Pre-conclave conference: Cardinals convene for discussions before the conclave[1][4].
- Conclave onset: Cardinals march to the Sistine Chapel, swear an oath of secrecy, and remain cloistered until a pope is chosen[3][4].
- Voting structure: Cardinals scribe "for the supreme pontiff" and a candidate's name on ballots, fold them twice, and slide them into a chalice-urn[1][3][4].
- Tally: Three randomly chosen cardinals count votes, ensuring ballots match the number of electors. Any invalid votes lead to a re-vote[3][4].
Voting Prerequisites
- Eligible candidates: Cardinals below 80 years old (around 137 eligible)[5][4].
- Quorum: A two-thirds majority plus one is needed (e.g., if 120 cardinals vote, 81 votes are required)[1][4].
- Frequency: Four daily votes (twice morning/afternoon) from day two onwards[2][4]. If no pope is elected within ~12-15 votes, a temporary halt occurs[4].
Smoke Signals
Burned ballots emit:- Black smoke: No decision. Wet straw additives darken the smoke[^1^].- White smoke: Successful election. Chemicals produce a bright smoky send-off[^1^].
Prayer Pauses
- Morning Mass: Conducted to seek divine wisdom[3].
- Oath of secrecy: Features a prayer for ethical discernment[1][4].
- Breaks: Allows reflection and prayer between voting sessions[2][4].
[^1^]: Although the sources omit specific details about smoke-chemical ingredients, historical precedent confirms this practice, generally known in conclave coverage. The referenced documents concentrate on procedural aspects, brushing over ceremonial specifics.
French cardinals, hailing from different parts of the world, have started preparing for the upcoming papal election following Pope Francis' demise. They are expected to adhere to the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici gregis, a policy-and-legislation document that outlines the voting process in the Vatican. The chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, regarded as a symbol of the conclave, will once again refine general news by emitting either black or white smoke, signifying the outcome of the voting. Reflecting the 135 eligible princes of the Church (aged under 80) who will vote to elect their new leader, these ballots will be and should ballots be, a significant part of the voting process. The Pope, who holds the role of the supreme pontiff, will be chosen by a candidate receiving a two-thirds majority in the rounds of voting, a rule that remains constant despite changes in politics and policies.
