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After the Pope dies, Catholic Church The next leader chooses through an ancient election process called “Papal Conclary”.
In practice, of at least 1276, the conclave brings together top bishops of the church – called the Cardinal College – from all over the world. Although there are currently more than 240 cardinals, only those under the age of 80 meet the conditions for voting in the conclave, and the number of cardinal voters is limited to 120.
Almost all Vatican office prefects lose their jobs when the Pope dies, but a few remains, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Masters of Liturgical Ceremony, who play a key role in assembling the conclave.
The conclave takes place in Vatican Sistina Chapel And the cardinals are held in strict isolation to keep them away from the rest of the world far from any external influence. This insulation is so important in the process that even the name name comes from the Latin “con clavis”, which means “with the key”, which indicates that the cardinal voters are locked as they intend to be the new Pope.
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There is also an emphasis on the choice of the Pope to quickly reduce the time the Church spends without a leader. The cardinals gave their first voice the day when the conclave begins. Then they give voices at least twice every day after – in the morning and evening – until the pope is chosen.
The usual practice in the modern Catholic Church is that the cardinals choose the pope among their own ranks, although this was not always the case.
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Course will usually start with a special mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica, in which cardinals call the Holy Spirit to the lead.
Cardinals vote for the pope through a secret ballot. On each vote, the cardinal will write his choice on a piece of paper, to process to Michaelangel’s giant fresco last judgment – which serves as a reminder of the gravity and holiness of their responsibility – and throw his ballot in the chalice.
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The Cardinals of the Catholic Church attend the constituency in the Sistine Chapel on April 18, 2005 in the Vatican. (Arturo Mari – Vatican Pool/ Getty Images)
Two -thirds of the majority of votes are required to select a new pope. More than two -thirds of eligible cardinal voters have appointed Pope Francis. However, these cardinals have a diverse set of views and come from all different parts of the world.
After each vote, the ballots are burned, and the ash is used to send signals to the rest of the world about whether a decision was made. The black smoke that rises from the Sistine Chapel means that there was no consensus, while white smoke means that the pope is selected.
Gerhard Ludwig Cardinal Müller, right, during the Consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica. (Johannes Neudecker/Picture Alliance)
Once the cardinal receives two -thirds of the majority of votes, the dean of the college cardinal asks him if he is ready to accept the position. If accepted, then he must choose his papal name. Cardinal Jose Mario Bergoglio chose the name “Pope Francis”, becoming the first pope to choose this name.
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After the world is warned through the burning of white smoke, the new Pope is announced with the highest cardinal who declared “Habemus Papam!” – “We have a pope” – after which the newly elected pontiph processes and gives its first blessing to the city of Rome and the rest of the world.
