New Delhi: Following the death of Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, preparations are underway at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City for a conclave of the College of Cardinals to pick his successor.
The Papal Conclave, a centuries-old tradition for selecting the next pope following the death or resignation of his predecessor, can go on for hours or even days. The conclave is summoned by the Dean of the College of Cardinals responsible for informing all the cardinals about the pope’s passing.
The College of Cardinals serves as an electorate, and consists of bishops of important dioceses worldwide, heads of Vatican departments responsible for church administration, and other bishops who were personally appointed by the pope.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. The election involves secret ballots, and a two-thirds majority is required for a cardinal to be elected Pope.
As the conclave goes on, thousands gather at St Peter’s Square with their eyes fixed on the chimney of Sistine Chapel, some holding rosaries and saying their prayers, waiting for the smoke signal—black indicating continued deliberations, white announcing the election of a new pope.
Once the procession of the cardinals walks into the chapel, the heavy doors are sealed from outside and remain shut until the election process is completed. During this period, the cardinals have no contact with the outside world. Apart from the smoke signal, the bells of St Peter’s Basilica are also rung when a new pope has been chosen.
Draped in red flowing vestments, the cardinals inside the chapel swear an oath, first as a group and then individually, pledging to uphold the secrecy and integrity of the election process.
During the conclave, the cardinals reside at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a five-storey hotel-like building adjacent to St Peter’s Basilica. The voting process takes place in the Sistine Chapel and the conclave is governed by the rules set by Pope John Paul II in 1996.
During the conclave, the cardinals are known to pray, discuss and secretly cast their votes. Before voting, each cardinal recites a prayer to seek divine guidance.
If no candidate secures the required votes, voting continues until the consensus is reached. Each ballot is counted aloud and recorded by three designated cardinal recorders. After each round, the ballot papers are burned to prevent tampering and to maintain secrecy.
According to the norms, four votes, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, are held each day of the conclave until a new pope is elected. The longest such conclave was in the 13th century and went on for 3 years.
Draped in white vestment, the newly elected pope is introduced from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica with the proclamation “Habemus Papam!” (‘We have a Pope!’, in Latin). The new pope then gives his blessing.
Pope Francis died aged 88 after suffering from a bout of pneumonia. Declared pope 12 years ago, he had made an appearance in front of the public at St Peter’s Square a day earlier, on Easter Sunday.
Sneha Yadav is an intern with ThePrint
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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