The Conclave: How the new Pope is elected

[MarieT]

How is a new pope elected?
Inside the Vatican's centuries-old secret process

The death of a pope starts a centuries-old ritual involving sacred oaths by the cardinals electing a successor, the piercing of ballots with a needle and thread after they're counted, and then burning them to produce either the white or black smoke to signal if there's a new leader for the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.

The election itself is shrouded in secrecy, with cardinals forbidden from communicating with the outside world what happened during the voting in the conclave behind the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel.

St. John Paul II rewrote the regulations on papal elections in a 1996 document that remains largely in force, though Pope Benedict XVI amended it twice before he resigned.

Here is what happens when a pope dies, a period known as the "sede vacante," or the "vacant See."

Who's in charge?
If the pope has died, the camerlengo, or chamberlain, must certify the death and seal the papal apartment.
He runs administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over.

The largely ceremonial job of camerlengo is currently held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Irish-born American head of the Vatican's laity office.

Nearly all prefects of Vatican offices lose their jobs when a pope dies, but a few stay on, including the foreign minister and the master of liturgical ceremonies, who plays a key role in assembling the conclave.

The dean of the College of Cardinals summons the cardinals for the funeral, presiding at the Mass before the conclave begins.

That position is currently held by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the retired head of the Vatican's office for bishops.

In November 2024, Francis reformed the rites to be used for his funeral, simplifying them to emphasise his role as a mere bishop and allowing for burial outside the Vatican. Francis has chosen to be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica, where his favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, the Salus Populi Romani, is located.


What's the timing?
The death of a pope begins a precise sequence of events that include the confirmation of death in the pontiff's home, the transfer of the coffin to St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing, a funeral Mass and burial.

Interment must take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death.

After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the "novendiali".

During this period, the cardinals arrive in Rome.

To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15-20 days after the "sede vacante" is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree.


Who can elect a pope?
Only cardinals under age 80 are eligible, and current regulations limit the number of electors to 120. According to the most recently updated Vatican statistics, there were 136 cardinals under age 80 and eligible to vote, though that number may change before the conclave begins.

Those over 80 can't vote but can participate in pre-conclave meetings, known as general congregations, in which church problems are discussed.

Who are possible candidates?
Any baptised Roman Catholic male is eligible to be pope, but since 1378, only cardinals have been selected. Some current leading candidates:
Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, 70, Francis' secretary of state and a veteran Vatican diplomat.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada, 80, head of the Vatican's bishops office from 2010 to 2023.

Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn of Austria, 80, a student of Pope Benedict XVI, and thus ostensibly having appeal for conservatives.

Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, 67, brought by Francis to head the Vatican's massive missionary office.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy, 69, a Francis protégé who headed the Italian bishops conference.

How are the votes taken?
A first ballot is held in the Sistine Chapel on the afternoon after the initial Mass.
If no pope is elected, over the ensuing days two ballots are held each morning and two each afternoon.

The ballots are rectangular pieces of paper with the words: "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" ("I elect as supreme pontiff") written on top, with a space for a name.

Each cardinal makes his choice, folds the paper in half, walks to the front of the chapel and declares: "I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected."

He then puts the ballot on a tray and tips it into a receptacle.

Three designated cardinals, known as scrutineers, check each ballot to see if it is filled out correctly.

Each name is read aloud and counted, with the results announced to the conclave after each round.

If no one gets the needed two-thirds of votes, the ballots are pierced with a needle and thread, which is then knotted and placed on a tray, and another round of voting is prepared.

Benedict modified some of John Paul's 1996 conclave rules, most notably excluding his vision that a pope could be elected by a simple majority if voting was stalemated.

Benedict decreed that a two-thirds majority is always needed, no matter how long it takes.

He did so to prevent cardinals from holding out for the 12 days foreseen by John Paul and then pushing through a candidate with a slim majority.


What about secrecy?
Benedict also tightened the oath of secrecy in the conclave, making clear that anyone who reveals what went on inside faces automatic excommunication.

In John Paul's rules, excommunication was always a possibility, but Benedict revised the oath that liturgical assistants and secretaries take to make it explicit, saying they must observe "absolute and perpetual secrecy" and explicitly refrain from using any audio or video recording devices.

They now declare: "I take this oath fully aware that an infraction thereof will incur the penalty of automatic excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See. So help me God and these Holy Gospels, which I touch with my hand."

Cardinals also are bound by secrecy, although the threat of excommunication only hangs over them explicitly if they are found to have accepted payment for their vote, allowed secular powers to influence it, or entered into pacts with other cardinals to back a candidate.


Do we have a pope?
After the ballots are pierced, they are burned in a cylindrical stove at the end of the voting session. Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney means no decision; white smoke signals the cardinals have chosen a pope and that he has accepted.

Chemical cartridges are added to ensure there is no confusion over the color.

To produce black smoke, a cartridge containing potassium perchlorate, anthracene — the component of coal tar — and sulphur is burned with the ballots.

For white smoke, a cartridge of potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin is burned with the ballots.

Bells also are rung to signal the election of a pope for further clarity.

The new pope is introduced from the loggia overlooking St. Peter's Square with the words, "Habemus Papam!"
("We have a pope!") and his chosen papal name.

The new pope then emerges and gives his first blessing.

source

[Denise]

Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88

I have a raised eyebrow concerning some of the things Card. Kevin Ferrell said when he announced the death of the Pope. May the Lord forgive me.

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news ... ed-88.html

When our loved ones die, we can't say they returned to the house of the Father. That would be Heaven, not purgatory or hell, wouldn't it? Our Father lives only in Heaven. Using the pope's own words, "Who is Card. Ferrell to judge." We hope and pray they are safe from the fires of hell, but we do not know where they are. Other statements are fuzzy too.

I pray for the soul of Francis.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Lord have mercy on us and on the whole world concerning the next pope.

[MarieT]

that did strike me also

[MarieT]

Camerlengo locks and seals Pope Francis' personal residence
Seals placed on Pope Francis' residence at the Vatican as tradition follows his death - the camerlengo secures the suite at Santa Marta, where the pontiff chose to live instead of the Apostolic Palace.

papal residence sealed - watch video

[MarieT]

A procession is under way to transfer Pope Francis' coffin from his residence to St Peter's Basilica, where he will lie in state before his funeral on Saturday.

The procession begins with Pope Francis' body being moved from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence on Wednesday morning (local time), where he lived during his papacy.

The procession will travel through Piazza Santa Marta and the Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, passing through the Arch of the Bells and into St Peter's Square, before entering St Peter's Basilica through the central door.

complete scheduled proceedings

[Denise]

A new model conclave?

At this delicate moment in Catholic history, fundamental questions of doctrine, morals, and pastoral practice are being contested.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/202 ... -conclave/

[MarieT]

oh my....please God

From papal adviser to sidelined critic to pope contender

Francis removed (Cardinal Raymond) Burke from key Vatican roles.
Still, he remains a rallying figure for Catholic traditionalists who see Francis as straying from orthodoxy.
According to The Daily Mail, Burke is being floated as a contender in the next papal conclave.

[Denise]

Burke is being floated as a contender in the next papal conclave.

So is Cardinal Sarah He is who I was hoping would be elected after Pope Benedict. God has a plan.

[MarieT]

Cardinal Sarah yes
was the younger version of Cardinal Arinze

i miss them both.
Cardinal Arinze was great, funny, no holding back, said it as it was....

[Denise]

The Best of Cardinal Sarah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3chnKmUnBdw

[Denise]

Why We Need a Pope From Africa

The Catholic Church needs to look to the African continent to lead us through the present and coming challenges assailing our faith. Here's why.

by
Fr. Dwight Longenecker

https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/why- ... 38c6455e8c

[MarieT]

Cardinal Burke and Cardinal Arinze have been featured in a video in a service for francis.
Currently in Rome for proceedings.
Stay tuned.

[MarieT]

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke...during the Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 13, 2025 (earlier this month).

Raymond L. Burke
Burke, 76, had been an outspoken critic of Francis. He is seen as a leader in the traditionalist wing of the church, having publicly challenged Francis on LGBTQ issues, communion for divorced individuals, and other questions of church doctrine. He voiced concern that the Synod on Synodality, a three-year process of discussion on church issues, would foster "confusion, error and division.” He is known to wear elaborate vestments and opposes restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass.

I believe if elected Pope, the first item on his agenda would be to restore the Latin Mass (recall Pope Benedict XVI stated it was never abrogated).....until francis..., and reverse the excommunication of Archbishop Vigano and other faithful church leaders, and restoration of Bp Strickland. Also Cardinal Sarah will be given a prominent Vatican role.

10 Cardinals from the USA
source

[MarieT]

...and of course, if roles were to be reversed and Cardinal Robert Sarah were to be elected Pope...then Card. Burke would be restored to a prominent Vatican position.

Watch them tremble in Rome if either of these 2 are elected pope.

Recall the strategy by francis to create an astronomical number of cardinals of which 80% would decide who will be our next Pope.

[Johnna]

...and of course, if roles were to be reversed and Cardinal Robert Sarah were to be elected Pope...then Card. Burke would be restored to a prominent Vatican position.

Watch them tremble in Rome if either of these 2 are elected pope.

That would be awesome!

Recall the strategy by francis to create an astronomical number of cardinals of which 80% would decide who will be our next Pope.

He may have tried, but praise God that He has the final say.