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What happens when a pope dies?
The passing of a pope is first confirmed by a medical professional, but it is officially announced only after a specific procedure carried out by the camerlengo, the cardinal responsible for managing the Vatican’s assets and income.
The camerlengo proclaims the pope’s baptismal name three times. Only upon receiving no reply can he announce the pope’s death.
Traditionally, this cardinal taps the head of the pope with a silver hammer as part of the ritual. Following this, he alerts other senior church leaders and the public about the pope’s death.
To prevent theft, the pope’s quarters are secured, and preparations begin for the ceremonial obliteration of the papal ring and seal, which symbolizes the cessation of his authority.
The burial of the pope takes place between four to six days after death, while a mourning period is observed for nine days. Shortly thereafter, cardinals convene for the conclave.
How is a new pope chosen? The conclave explained
A conclave refers to the assembly of cardinals who gather at the Vatican to elect a new pope.
Participation is limited to a subset of the College of Cardinals, the senior clergy of the Catholic Church ranking just below the papacy, due to age restrictions.
The term “conclave” is derived from Latin, meaning ‘with a key’, illustrating that cardinals are physically separated from outside influence during the voting process.
Conclaves are generally convened following the death of a pope. Since the election of Gregory XII in 1415, only a single papal resignation has occurred; Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013, citing his old age.
Why are the cardinals shut off from the world?
The conclave is conducted in utmost secrecy, ensuring that the cardinals are shielded from any external pressures. Even the two non-cardinal masters of ceremonies must exit prior to the voting process.
During the conclave, the assembled cardinals remain in a hermetically sealed area of the Vatican, devoid of access to media devices such as televisions, radios, or mobile phones, and they must take an oath of secrecy, violation of which can lead to excommunication.
This ritual was dramatized in the 2024 film Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, which explores the tumultuous and clandestine nature of a fictional conclave based on Robert Harris’s bestselling novel. The film sheds light on the complexities and controversies that can arise during this unique procedure.
Who votes for a new pope?
Not every cardinal can participate in the conclave. As of November 2024, there were over 230 cardinals globally, but only 120 are eligible to vote, a rule established by Paul VI in 1975 that excludes cardinals over the age of 80 from participation.
The responsibility of electing a new pope by the College of Cardinals has been in place since 1059, initiated by Pope Nicholas II’s reforms.
Historically, the pope, officially titled the Bishop of Rome, was typically chosen by local clergy and laypeople, often influenced by the prevailing political powers of the time.
Who can be elected as pope?
Theoretically, any baptized male Catholic can be elected pope, however, in practice, the College of Cardinals typically selects from their own ranks.
The last pope who was not previously a cardinal was Urban VI, elected in 1378.
Where are most popes from?
Among the total of 266 popes to date, 217 were born in Italy. The remaining pontiffs hailed from 14 other nations, with France contributing 16 popes. The only Englishman to lead the Catholic Church was Adrian IV, who served from 1154-1159.
How do cardinals elect a pope?
Once assembled from across the globe, the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, which serves as the conclave venue.
During the election process, nine cardinals are randomly assigned specified roles: three act as ‘scrutineers’ who tally and announce the votes; three designated as ‘infirmarii’ deliver ballots for any incapacitated cardinals; and three ‘revisers’ ensure the accuracy of the scrutineers’ counts.
A voting round, known as scrutiny, begins with the distribution of paper ballots by two masters of ceremony. At this point, those not participating in the vote must leave.
Each cardinal inscribes the name of their chosen candidate on their ballot, concealing their handwriting, folds the paper twice, and places it on the altar in the chapel, proclaiming, “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge that my vote is given to the one before God I think should be elected.”
The secrecy of the conclave is preserved as scrutiny continues. Scrutineers read each name aloud and attach each ballot to a thread for tallying. The process continually checks for a two-thirds majority.
Should no candidate secure this majority, further voting rounds are conducted. The conclave typically allows a maximum of four votes per day after an initial single vote on the first day. While campaigning is not permitted, discussions between rounds can help build support for particular candidates.
The ballots from any failing rounds are incinerated, producing black smoke, which signals to those awaiting outside that voting remains underway.
Conversely, white smoke billowing from the Vatican chimney signifies that a new pope has been elected.
How long does a conclave take?
The duration of a conclave varies, lasting as long as necessary to elect a new pope. In recent history, the swiftest conclave occurred in 1939 when Pius XII was elected on the third ballot, facilitated by a smaller electorate of just 62 eligible voters.
The lengthiest conclave on record began in 1268, with prolonged political strife resulting in no resolution for nearly three years.
During this contentious period, three cardinals passed away, and frustrations culminated in the local magistrate removing the roof of the conclave site, limiting the cardinals to only bread and water to force a decision.
How is a new pope announced?
Initially, the announcement of a new pope is signified through smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. Black smoke indicates a failed vote, while white smoke signals a successful election. These effects are created by burning specially composed chemical mixtures. This is soon followed by the ringing of the bells at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The candidate who garners the necessary two-thirds majority must then formally accept the election outcome, select a papal name, and prepare to address the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
When conclaves go wrong
The lengthy conclave of the 13th century was not the sole instance where elections faced significant difficulties.
The election in 1378 was marred by riots in Rome, where the populace demanded an Italian pope, given the predominance of French cardinals. Despite Urban VI’s election, the church experienced a schism, resulting in two active popes – one in Rome and another in Avignon.
Similarly, turmoil arose during the conclave of 1559, which faced public outrage against a leading candidate due to revelations about his illegitimate son. The election spanned nearly four months before Pius IV emerged as the new pope, despite his own hidden paternity issues.
Source
www.historyextra.com