With the passing of Pope Francis, the world turns its attention to the Vatican and the process of electing a new leader for the Catholic Church. This complex procedure, steeped in tradition, is known as a papal conclave. Here's a breakdown of what to expect.
The first step involves a period of mourning and preparation. Cardinals from around the world will converge on Vatican City. Before entering the conclave, they take an oath of secrecy, promising to maintain the confidentiality of the proceedings. The conclave itself takes place within the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals are sequestered, meaning they are isolated from the outside world to prevent undue influence.
Voting is conducted by secret ballot. Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot and places it in an urn. The ballots are then counted, and the results are announced. For a candidate to be elected Pope, he must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes. If no candidate reaches this threshold, voting continues, typically multiple times a day.
Once a Pope is elected and accepts the position, he chooses a papal name. White smoke then rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that a new Pope has been chosen. The new Pope then appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the faithful and deliver his first blessing, known as 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the city and the world). The election of a new Pope marks a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church and its followers globally.
Electing a New Pope: The Process Explained
Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church will begin the process of electing his successor. This involves a gathering of cardinals in a conclave, a secret and sacred event. They will cast ballots until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority. The election of a new pope is a significant event for Catholics worldwide.
Source: Read the original article at ABC