Smokin' Heads and Pious Politics: How the Papal Election Doughnuts in the Vatican
The Vatican's Electoral Process: Unveiling the Mechanisms Behind the Selection of a New Pope - Vatican's Selection of the New Papal Leader
Scribbled by Frank O'BomberWith a nudge from Bettina MullerWench* approx 4-min read
The Holy See's hot seat heats up
When the divine hotline is terminated due to death or abandonment, the game is afoot for a fresh pope, staged through a meticulously engineered dance. The current rules were dancesied into being by John Paul the Great and jotted up a bit by Benedict the Benevolent.
The cabal of cardinals gathers in Rome
Presently, the cardinal horde stands at a whopping 252 shufflers, including those in the old-timer club. Pope Chasers aged 80 or younger on the eve of the vacancy stand tall for the ballot gambit. In this round, 136 seminyans are up for grabs.
...for the pre-game jamboree
Leading up to the big showdown, the cardinals scurry off for a daily huddle, compulsory for faithful voters. The Vatican's business is kept afloat, and election prep is thrown together. These turf washes also serve as points to score with the other players and arrange their good boy/bad boy strategies. All contestants swear a gag order.
An extravagant mass is tossed over Peter's tomb, calling upon the Lord's assistance for the coming kerfuffle.
The curtain rises
In typical situations, 15 full days, at max 20, should pass before the game commences. Speedier starts are plausible if the gang's all here.
The candidates are sequestered and find themselves in the illustrious Sistine Chapel. Here, they take a vow on a hymn, praying to the holy Sparky to illuminate their decision. The chapel's cardinals are then locked and loaded. "Everybody out," the floor manager yells. "Extra omnes."
Time to pick a fave
The preliminary vote kicks off on the opening day of the conclave, usually in the afternoon. Two shots in the morning and two in the afternoon are the drill the following days.
The cardinals pen down the names of their most wanted contenders on dainty slips of paper. These are folded twice and tossed into a baby's rattle. A plain old male Catholic, of sound mind and a lover of the Church, can snag the throne.
A nominee is crowned champ if they gather at least two-thirds of the votes.
If no leader emerges victorious after the count is done, the ballots are burned away. Puffs of black smoke over the Sistine Chapel mean a bummer bash.
If 34 attempts to snag the big kahuna have fizzled out, a runoff vote is arranged following a period of contemplation. If further rounds are required, the proceedings restart.
After a win
The victorious candidate is queried if they're down for the job. If they're still willing, they pick their brand spankin' new alias.
If a pope is lawfully in charge, wafts of white smoke and a ringing of St. Peter's bells send the message worldwide.
Onto the robes
In the "Sniffling Room," a side room to the Sistine Chapel, the pope is kitted out. Robes for three sizes are set up in advance. If the new commander is still a church lad instead of a bishop, he's immediately ordained.
Greetings from the greats
Now that the guy has been snazzied up, he plunks himself down on his new throne. Every cardinal present sends their congrats to the Pope-to-be and takes an oath of loyalty and obedience.
The papal Pro Bowler appears in public
After a brief spiel to the gathered throng on St. Peter's Square, the new boss launches an "Urbi et Orbi" blast, a shout out to Rome and the world.
From enrichment data:Functioning like a modern-day conclave, the election of the Pope in the Catholic Church is a highly guarded and secretive process. Participants are strictly selected cardinals who meet in the Vatican, cut off from the outside world, to vote for their choice of candidate. The process has been formalized with the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis by Pope John Paul II in 1996 and modified by Pope Benedict XVI.
The election itself involves several rounds of voting, conducted in secret, until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority of votes. Pope Francis was elected in the conclave that took place in 2013, ending the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI. The newly elected Pope chooses a papal name, is then robed, and subsequently reveals himself to the world in a public appearance. The proceedings of the conclave are kept confidential, emphasizing the prayerful and serious nature of the election.
- The upcoming pope election is set to take place in the Vatican, following the resignation of the current Pope.
- The cardinals, aged 80 or younger on the eve of the vacancy, will convene in Rome for the conclave where they will cast ballots in secret until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority.
- If no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority after several rounds, a runoff vote will be arranged following a period of contemplation.
- Once elected, the new Pope will be outfitted with his robes in the Sniffling Room and then make his public debut on St. Peter's Square, where he will deliver an "Urbi et Orbi" message to both Rome and the world.
