Pope selection date announced: Insights into the cloaked electoral procedure
The Game of Thrones for the Vatican: Electing the New Pope
Get ready for the ultimate power play as the Vatican gears up for the conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor on May 7. Here's a breakdown of the intricate, time-honored process that'll unfold in the coming weeks.
A total of 135 cardinal electors, those under 80 years of age, will participate in the voting. These cardinals hail from every corner of the globe, including 17 from Italy, 10 from the United States, and 7 from Brazil. The UK has a modest three cardinal electors. The cardinals are housed inside the Vatican during the conclave and are kept in isolation, much like a medieval fortress, which is where the term "conclave" derives from.
Once the conclave commences, voting sessions take place in the Sistine Chapel, while the cardinals sleep in the Casa Santa Marta – a comfortable guesthouse enclosed within the Vatican's grounds.
The longest conclave in history lasted for almost three years between 1268 and 1271. On the other hand, some have been over in a mere day, like the one that elected Pope John Paul in 1978. Cardinals selected Pope Francis in approximately two days.
During the voting sessions, no outside communication is allowed – no phones, internet, or newspapers. The cardinals are bound by a strict oath of secrecy, and any breaches of confidentiality could lead to excommunication.
After each round of voting, the cardinals await the appearance of an emblematic smoke signal outside their quarantine: black smoke or white smoke. If a candidate hasn't garnered the necessary two-thirds majority plus one vote, the burned ballots and tally sheets produce black smoke, signaling that the search for the new pope continues.
In contrast, bright white smoke indicates a successful election. This breathtaking sight is produced using chemicals like lactose or rosin.
If no pope is chosen after three days, the sessions are momentarily suspended for prayer and discussion. More ballots are cast until the two-thirds majority is reached.
When a candidate has been agreed upon, he is offered the prestigious position, which he must graciously accept. If he declines, voting recommences.
Upon acceptance, the new pope dons his ceremonial vestments and ascends the throne in the Sistine Chapel to greet his fellow cardinals, who pay their respects and swear fealty to the church's new leader.
The senior cardinal deacon then emerges onto St. Peter’s Basilica's balcony to proclaim "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam" (I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope) and unveil the name of the newly elected pope.
The new pope then addresses the faithful from the balcony, marking the beginning of his papal ministry with a series of public speeches and ceremonies in the following days.
So there you have it – the captivating, medieval-esque spectacle that is the conclave process. Stay tuned for all the latest updates as the journey to elect Pope Francis's successor unfolds.
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- Despite the strict isolation, cardinals in the conclave are ready to engage in the complex general-news of electing the new pope, with more than 135 cardinals from various countries, similar to the politics of a medieval kingdom.
- Once the decisive ballots, known as ballots, are counted, the cardinals eagerly await the interim smoke signal outside, either black signifying no pope yet, or white heralding a new pope ready to lead the flock.
- After the successful election, the newly crowned pope will make a public appearance, delivering speeches from the papal balcony and starting his interim reign in the Vatican, making headlines in general-news around the world.
