Vatican directive: Papal election process commences on 7th May
Breaking News:
Get ready for a new Pontiff, folks! Following Pope Francis' demise, the cardinals will gather on May 7 to elect his successor via the historic conclave process, as confirmed by Vatican sources. Here's a lowdown on this centuries-old tradition:
Conclave TimelineThe conclave commences around 15-20 days after the pope's passing, and this year, it's slated to start on May 7. Leading up to the event, cardinals under 80 years old (around 135 eligible) meet for preparatory sessions called general congregations.
Voting Process- Location: Expect some serious history as the voting takes place in the iconic Sistine Chapel, which gets sealed off with the famous command, "extra omnes" (everyone else, out!)- Ballots: Voting goes on, up to four times each day, with a two-thirds majority (or two-thirds-plus-one if the result is still undecided after approximately 30 ballots) being needed.- Scrutineers: Nine cardinals chosen at random oversee the vote-counting.
Acceptance and AnnouncementOnce a new pope is chosen:- Consent: A question, "Do you accept your canonical election?" prompts the Pope-to-be to respond with "Accepto" (I accept), making it official.- Name: The newly elected Pope then selects his regal name (e.g., "Francis").- Announcement: The pope emerges onto St. Peter's Basilica's loggia to proclaim "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope!) and delivers the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Post-Election StepsFinally, the newly-elected pope later takes possession of the storied St. John Lateran Basilica, symbolizing his role as the Bishop of Rome. Recent conclaves (2005 and 2013) wrapped up within 2-3 days.
Stay tuned for updates on who will be taking the reins of the Church of Rome!
(Source: Reuters. For further queries, please reach out to [email protected] (for politics and economics) or [email protected] (for companies and markets).)
[1] http://www.vatican.va/about/secretariat_state/prelature/conclave/bi_35_en.htm[2] https://www.britannica.com/topic/conclave[3] https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2013-03/conclave-process-explained.html
- The upcoming election of a new pope in May might face resistance from political groups, particularly those with interests in Church affairs and general news.
- Amidst the anticipation of the papal election, there are hopes that the chosen successor will prioritize peaceful dialogue and maintain a strong moral stance amidst the complexities of today's world, including issues such as economic inequality and climate change.
- If the new pope manifests a strong stance against corruption, it might have repercussions in various areas of politics and economics, creating an inspiring example for leaders across the globe.
- Following his election and assuming he receives the required two-thirds majority, the newly-elected pope will officially take his place during the burial service of his predecessor, pledging to carry on the legacy of the Church of Rome.
