Vapors wafting over Sistine Chapel: Outlining the method for choosing a fresh Pope
Pope Francis I Bids Us Farewell on April 21, 2025
Image Source: REUTERS
Saying Goodbye to Our Holy Leader
On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis I departed our presence, just a day after celebrating Easter. His reign on the Holy See spanned over a dozen years, a term that commands respect, given the magnitude of the duties he undertook. As we grieve his loss, the papal throne sits vacant.
This transitional phase in the Vatican is famously known as "sede vacante," which means "empty throne" in Latin. Cardinals from around the globe must hasten to the Vatican. Their mission is simple yet significant: to elect a new Pope during a conclave.
Before they begin the voting process, they must bid farewell to the deceased leader. In keeping with ancient traditions, the Camerlengo (the primary overseer of deaths in the Vatican) confirms the papal death, typically by calling the deceased's name three times. If there's no response, it's confirmed.
The next order of business is the removal of the papal ring from the deceased's hand and its subsequent ritual breaking. This is a symbolic act, as each Pope must have his own unique ring. The announcement of the Holy See's vacancy follows.
For the next nine days, a prayer marathon, known as a novena, is held in honor of the departed. This is the period during which the College of Cardinals manages the Church affairs, and they make the crucial decision as to who will receive the lifetime position of the Pope. Although the historical practice has the Pope resigning only under rare circumstances, such as in the case of Pope Benedict XVI.
The Election of the Next Pope
Any Catholic man, under 80 years of age, who is unmarried and without children can potentially be chosen as the new Pope. This includes divorced individuals, but only widowers are eligible. There is no requirement for status, service history, or nationality; however, in practice, the Church tends to pick from among seasoned cardinals with clean records.
The electoral process begins with the candidates, dressed in red cassocks and white surplices, gathering in the Hall of Blessings for the Conclave. They then march towards the Sistine Chapel, singing Veni Creator. Once there, they swear an oath to vote honestly and to maintain secrecy about the proceedings.
As the doors to the Sistine Chapel are locked, contact with the outside world is severed, and ballots are distributed. After each round of voting, the papers are burned in the chapel's stove. Black smoke emerging from the chapel's chimney signifies that a conclusion hasn't been reached yet. White smoke, on the other hand, signals the Church has a new Pope.
The duration of the conclave varies from as little as a day to, in some historical cases, years. For instance, in the 14th century, the conclave stretched on for 2 years, 4 months, and 6 days. In the 13th century, they managed to hold two consecutive sessions that lasted over two years. The irony lies in the fact that the Pope elected then, Gregory X, reigned for just over four and a half years.
If, after three days of voting, no candidate receives the required 2/3 of votes, they take a break. If, after seven additional rounds, the Church still remains leaderless, the voting process simplifies: the candidate with the most votes wins.
When the world finally witnesses white smoke, a jubilant crowd of pilgrims and tourists rushes towards St. Peter's Basilica. The newly elected Pope appears on the balcony, announces his chosen name, and delivers his inaugural address.
The style of Pope Francis' successor remains to be seen. Speculations have arisen over the possibility of an Italian, Pietro Parolin, taking on the mantle. He has served as the acting Pope in several ceremonies and is known for his orderly, noble, and somewhat nature of a bureaucrat.
Meanwhile, an Archbishop from the Democratic Republic of Congo could pave the way for the Church's first African Pope, symbolizing change in the Vatican. However, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu is a firm advocate, placing abortion and same-sex relationships at odds with the Church's canonical law.
A Hungarian cardinal, Peter Erdő, presents a more conservative candidate, with strict views on divorce, adherence to traditional communion practices, and a firm stance against refugees. Yet, he remains a proponent of dialogue and cooperation with other religious leader.
On the other side of the spectrum stands Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, hailed as the "Asian Francis" for his compassionate and dialogue-focused approach. A vocal critic of the Church's historic rigidity, Tagle advocates for loosening restrictions on abortion and contraception, even publicly supporting the "atheistic agenda."
Lastly, Nikola Eterović, the Ukrainian-born cardinal hailing from Australia, is the youngest candidate in line for the conclave. At 45 years old, he has already shown political prowess; unlike other candidates, he engages actively in politics. Eterović has been unapologetic about his support for Ukraine, even using Ukrainian flags in churches during services.
The legend of Pope Joan, a woman who supposedly ruled as Pope in the 9th century, continues to linger in the Church's history, although the Church officially denies the practice of scrutinizing popes for biological traits prior to their selection.
The Catholic world is also plagued by its own "anti-heroes" – antipopes, individuals who either wrongfully claimed the papal position or were elected through questionable means. Over 40 such "freelance pontiffs" remain a contentious topic among historians and theologians, with debates over whether they were simply misguided or purposefully opportunistic.
The name John holds the most prominence among popes, with 23 individuals bearing that title. However, the list shows confusion, with 22 actual Johns and an additional, unaccounted John XX. Some believe the oversight happened when Pope John XX was buried in an unmarked grave, while others speculate that Pope John XX merged with the infamous "Pope Joan."
Unlike the enigmatic John XX, Pope Francis I is the first and – as of now – only Pope with his name. Despite being relatively rare, the Vatican boasts 39 popes with equally exceptional names.
Sources:1. PopeFrancis - Biography2. Papal Funeral Rites & Procedures3. Conclave 2024: New Rules, Same Tradition4. The Vatican Holds the Conclave: An Explainer
- The papal resignation of Pope Francis I on April 21, 2025, marked an interesting period in general-news, requiring the cardinals to hurriedly convene for the purpose of electing a new Pope.
- The election process, consisting of 128 cardinals meeting in a secret conclave, demanded substantial requirements: a Catholic male aged below 80, unmarried, without children, and with a clean record.
- During the voting process, smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel's chimney signaled the progress or lack thereof in selecting a new pope - black smoke indicated ongoing voting, while white smoke announced the election of a new leader.
- The intriguing candidates for the papal throne included Pietro Parolin, known for his orderly and bureaucratic nature, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, hailed as the "Asian Francis" for his compassionate dialogue-based approach.
