The selection of a new pope is a complex and historically significant event within the Catholic Church. Following the death of the current pope, the College of Cardinals, composed of cardinals from around the world, assembles in Rome. One of their primary tasks is to determine the date of the papal conclave, the meeting where they will elect the next leader of the Church.
During the conclave, the cardinals are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel. This is to protect them from outside influence and ensure the integrity of the voting process. They cast secret ballots, and a two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no candidate receives the necessary votes, the ballots are burned with a chemical additive that produces black smoke, signaling to the world that no decision has been reached.
Once a cardinal receives the required majority, he is asked if he accepts the position. If he does, he chooses a new papal name. The ballots are then burned without the chemical additive, producing white smoke, which signals to the waiting crowds in St. Peter's Square that a new pope has been chosen. The new pope is then presented to the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Choosing the Next Pope: A Look at the Process
The process of selecting a new pope is steeped in tradition and designed to maintain secrecy. After the death of a pope, the College of Cardinals gathers in Rome. They then enter a conclave to elect a successor, following procedures that have evolved over centuries to ensure a smooth transition of power within the Catholic Church.