VATICAN CITY - The election of a new pope is a significant event for the Catholic Church and the world. The process, known as a papal conclave, is a centuries-old tradition that brings together cardinals from across the globe to select the next leader of the Church.
When a pope passes away or resigns, the College of Cardinals is summoned to Vatican City. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. These cardinals are sequestered from the outside world to ensure the integrity and secrecy of the election process.
The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals participate in prayer, reflection, and debate. They cast ballots multiple times a day until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority. The ballots are then burned, and if no pope has been elected, black smoke is released from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the voting continues.
Once a pope is elected, he is asked if he accepts the position. If he accepts, he chooses a new name, and white smoke is released from the chimney, announcing to the world "Habemus Papam" "We have a Pope." The new pope then appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the faithful.
The papal conclave is a deeply spiritual and historical event, marked by solemnity and the weight of choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church. The traditions and procedures involved reflect the importance and reverence given to this critical decision.
How the Next Pope Will Be Chosen: Understanding the Papal Conclave
The process of electing a new pope is steeped in tradition and secrecy. When a pope dies or resigns, cardinals from around the world gather in Vatican City for a papal conclave. They meet in the Sistine Chapel to vote until a new leader of the Catholic Church is chosen. This complex process involves prayer, debate, and multiple rounds of voting.
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