Elected in Secret: The Papal Conclave Unfolds
A Closer Look at the Vatican's Ancient Election Process
Cardinals unite in rituals as they arrange for the convention to select a fresh pontiff - Cardinals convene for due deliberation, aiming to select a successor for the vacant papal position.
The clock is ticking as 133 cardinals prepare to cast their ballots for the next pontiff in the Sistine Chapel. With the first vote set for Wednesday at 3 PM, the decision-making process will be underway to determine the 267th leader of the Catholic Church. If the required majority isn't reached, voting will continue on Thursday.
The preparations started earlier in the day with a Mass in the hallowed halls of St. Peter's Basilica. Cardinal Re, the college's dean, called for the election of a pope who will lead the Church and humanity during these trying times. At 4:30 PM, the cardinals gathered for prayer in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace before pushing toward the Sistine Chapel for the conclave.
The voting session, known as the conclave, is restricted to cardinals under 80 years old. However, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re won't be one of them due to his age. He'll be replaced by the current number two of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is among the favorites for the papal election.
As the political landscape of the Vatican divides, conservative factions advocate for a stronger return to traditions, while others want to uphold Pope Francis's progressive reforms. The possibility of blessings for same-sex couples has been a contentious issue among conservative Catholics.
For three scrutineers and three infirmarii, the secrecy of the elections is a sacred duty. These cardinals oversee the voting and counting process, ensuring every vote remains confidential until the outcome is clear. The winner of the papal election will be announced from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, marking the beginning of the new leader's reign.
This elections process, steeped in history and tradition, puts the cardinals in a bubble, separated from the outside world to protect the decision-making process. They leave their mobile phones in their accommodations, and the Vatican will shut down the mobile network throughout the Vatican during the afternoon. Communication will only be restored once the new pope is announced.
Pope Francis, the first South American pope, guided the Catholic Church for twelve eventful years before his recent death on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
- pontiff
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Pope Francis
- conclave
- Sistine Chapel
- Vatican
- Giovanni Battista Re
- Pietro Parolin
- tradition
- political landscape
- same-sex blessings
- scrutineers
- infirmarii
- secrecy
Details Behind the Scenes: The Illustrious History and Process of the Papal Conclave
The grand spectacle of the papal conclave is underpinned by a detailed process steeped in centuries of tradition, with a handful of key persons involved.
Key Actors
- Cardinal Electors: Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. For this conclave, 133 cardinal electors have amassed in the Vatican to partake. Cardinals over 80 are kept out, a rule that has been in place since 1970[5][4].
- Scrutineers: Among the cardinals, three are chosen by lot to serve as scrutineers, overseeing the voting and initial count[5].
- Infirmarii: Three other cardinals are appointed to serve as infirmarii, responsible for transporting ballots safely for any cardinal electors who are ill and unable to attend the vote in the chapel[5].
Procedure
- Assembly and Oath: Upon the appointed day, the cardinal electors solemnly march into the Sistine Chapel from the Pauline Chapel. Each cardinal takes an oath, pledging to observe the conclave procedures and maintain secrecy[5].
- Locking the Conclave: After the oath, the master of ceremonies commands, "Extra omnes" ("Everyone out"), and the chapel doors are locked, symbolizing the beginning of the conclave. The cardinals are sequestered from the outside world until a new pope is elected. This tradition dates back to 1274[5].
- Voting Rounds: To elect the new pope, a two-thirds majority is required. With 133 electors, at least 89 votes are needed. On the first day, there is typically one vote; subsequent days may have up to four rounds of voting. The process continues until a candidate secures enough votes[1][4].
- Ballot Handling and Counting: Ballots are meticulously handled by the scrutineers and infirmarii to ensure secrecy and fairness[5].
- Announcement: When a new pope is chosen, white smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signifying a new spiritual leader of the Catholic Church[1]. Black smoke indicates no election on that round. The conclave ends with a public announcement of the victor.
This conclave process represents a highly confidential and history-laden event, combining ritual, secrecy, and a global gathering of Church leadership to decide the new head of the Catholic Church[1][5].
- The cardinals, no more than 80 years old, will be the ones to cast their ballots during the Conclave, aiming for a two-thirds majority to elect the new pontiff in the Sistine Chapel.
- The current Vatican number two, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is among the favorites for the papal election, replacing Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re who won't participate due to his age.
- In this critical election, both conservatives advocating for a strong return to traditions and those wishing to uphold Pope Francis's progressive reforms shape the political landscape within the Vatican.
- Three scrutineers and three infirmarii, chosen from the cardinals, oversee ballot handling and ensure the secrecy of the election process, safeguarding the outcome until it is made public.
