The Vatican has initiated its traditional selection protocol to choose the next Pope following the passing of Pope Francis. The 135 cardinal electors aged below 80 years must assemble during 15 to 20 days following the pope’s passing at the Sistine Chapel to conduct the papal conclave that combines historical customs with serious mystery.
The selection process remains bound by ancient procedures that have existed for centuries:
- Before the Sistine Chapel event begins the cardinals join Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
- For voting to proceed eligible cardinals need a majority vote of two-thirds more than a single member.
- Every participant stands to receive automatic punishment of excommunication as soon as they violate confidentiality rules.
- The incomplete vote results in black smoke whereas white smoke signifies the election of a new pope.
The Church experiences a deep benediction through the conclave according to Vatican observer Paolo Rossi. The selection task requires cardinals to choose both a faithful spiritual leader while finding someone who can run the global Catholic Church serving 1.3 billion people worldwide.
The selection becomes special because it includes 108 voting cardinals selected by Pope Francis during the twelve years of his papacy. The composition of 71 nations in this group will most probably determine the future direction of the Catholic Church throughout many succeeding decades.
Conclaves from recent times have finished their proceedings within brief periods. Pope Francis ascended the throne after five voting rounds during the 2013 papal selection which took four ballots to elect Benedict in 2005. The selection of Gregory X during the 13th century extended for nearly three years which makes it one of the longest conclave experiences.
Church members gather to hear the news of “Habemus Papa” (We have a Pope) through white smoke signals from St. Peter’s Square before viewing the new pontiff bless the crowds from the balcony.
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Everyone in the world observes this process of selecting a new spiritual leader to become the new Pope while wondering about the identity of the chosen cardinal and his forthcoming approach to lead the Catholic Church into the future.
