The recent demise of Pope Francis, has left the papacy now vacant. Raising the need to call for an election to choose a new leader.
The cardinals ( comprising of senior bishops from around the world), after 15-20 days of the demise of the pope usually assemble at Sistine Chapel to participate In the papal conclave.
Out of 250 cardinals from more than 90 countries, only about 135 are cardinal electors. Only Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote.
They would come together to bid farewell to the late Pope Francis and begin the process of electing a new leader; by taking an oath of secrecy to follow the rules of the conclave and to elect a new Pope who will lead the Catholic Church into the future.
After the oath taking, then they would all proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where they will be isolated and kept until a new Pope is elected.
The conclave is a time-honored tradition that ensures the selection of a worthy successor to the throne of St. Peter. The word “conclave” comes from Latin, meaning “with key” or “locked room”. It is a reference to the process of being isolated during the election process.
During the conclave period, the cardinals would be cut off from the outside world, with no access to televisions, phones or newspapers. This is to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the election process.
The voting will take place in multiple rounds, with each cardinal casting a secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new Pope, and the ballots will be burned after each round, producing either white smoke to signal a successful election or black smoke to indicate that the process is ongoing.
While casting their votes, they would consider the needs of the Church and the qualities required in a leader who will guide the faithful in the years to come. The conclave process is a solemn and sacred tradition that reflects the importance of the decision being made.
Once a candidate has received the required majority and accepted the election, the dean of the College of Cardinals will announce the new Pope’s name from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The traditional phrase “Habemus Papam” (We have a Pope) will be used to proclaim the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The white smoke will be visible from the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the public gathered in St. Peter’s Square that a new Pope has been chosen. Smokes play a vital role in communicating the result of the election to the people outside. A black smoke signifies that no body has emerged the winner yet, while white smoke means that a winner has emerged.
The new Pope will then make his first public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will bless the crowd and mark the beginning of his papacy. The formal inauguration ceremony will follow, marking the beginning of the new Pope’s papacy and a new era for the Catholic Church.
With the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church awaits a new era. As the papacy lies vacant, the world watches with eagerness as the College of Cardinals prepares to convene in the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave. The faithful around the globe eagerly await the emergence of a new Pope who will guide the Church into the future.