The process for choosing a new Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church, is secular and includes a closed meeting of cardinals, which are part of the Vatican’s high summit.
The Assembly is called Conclave and takes place in the Sistine Chapel, inside the Apostolic Palace, famous for the paintings of artist Michelangelo.
However, not everyone can become a pontiff.
After all, who can become Pope?
Technically, any Roman Catholic man can be elected Pope.
CNN Vatican expert John Allen explains that anyone who is eligible for ordering the Catholic priesthood – therefore a single man could be elected Pope.
However, since 1379, the Pope is always elected inside the College of Cardinals, the group that issues the votes in the conclave, also restricted to those under 80.
Cardinals are bishops and archbishops appointed by the Pope to assist in religious issues.
Some work in the Vatican, but most are spread throughout the world by managing dioceses or archdiocese.
When the time of the conclave comes, every cardinal under 80 travels to Rome to attend the meeting, because the vote is in person.
And what happens in the vote?
Once in the conclave, cardinals cannot leave until the process is completed. They are also not allowed to talk to anyone outside the meeting.
After the banknotes are distributed, the cardinals write the name of a candidate and fold.
Then one by one, in the older order from the older to the younger, they approach an altar and ceremoniously place their banknotes on a chalice.
The vote is secret, but the banknotes are told for all present in the conclave.
A cardinal needs two thirds of the votes to ascend to the papacy.
According to a Vatican document on Conclave’s procedures, the first day is reserved for masses and prayers. If they are completed in the afternoon, a vote can already be performed on this day.
If no cardinal receives the number of votes required to be elected Pope, up to four votes a day will be made in the following days – two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The process can be repeated until the third day of Conclave. If at the end of it there is no definition yet, the fourth day will be reserved for a pause for prayer and discussion.
Following, the process can continue for seven another rounds of voting, just as at the beginning of the conclave. After that, there is another pause for prayers and, then, the votes are resumed again.
However, of the last 11 concludes made, none lasted more than four days, according to the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island of the United States.
Winner needs to accept to become Pope
The “winner” of the Conclave must accept the decision to make the result valid.
Once the chosen one accepts, the older cardinal asks him to choose a papal name.
Cardinal votes are always burned after voting.
If a Pope was not chosen, the votes are set on fire along with a chemical that makes the smoke become black. If there is a new Pope, no substance is added, keeping white smoke.
Traditionally, about 30 to 60 minutes after white smoke, the new pope will appear on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
So he is announced by the older cardinal, who also informs his papal name.
Was this content originally published in what is needed to become a Pope in the Catholic Church? on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
