Before the Start of the Conclave: This is How the Pope Election Works

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, marking the beginning of the sede vacante. Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re gathered all the cardinals the following day to prepare for the papal election. The main task was to set the start of the conclave, which has now been scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th. In the general congregations, the cardinals discussed the tasks of the Church and the qualities of the new pope.

Before the Papal Election: Conditions of the Conclave

The word conclave is derived from the Latin "cum clavis" ("with keys"). It refers to both the electoral assembly and the area in the Vatican sealed off from the outside world where the cardinals make their decision. Specifically, the papal election takes place in the world-famous Sistine Chapel, renowned for Michelangelo's frescoes. The seclusion is intended to protect the cardinals from outside influences and to enable a swift agreement. At the beginning of the assembly, they commit to absolute secrecy - the maximum penalty for breaking the oath is excommunication.

First Voting Round in the Papal Election on Wednesday

The conclave is opened with a mass in the morning and prayers. The first voting round of the papal election takes place already after entering the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with two voting rounds each morning and afternoon in the following days. The cardinals vote in a secret ballot; abstention is not allowed. Following a change made by Benedict XVI, a two-thirds majority is mandatory for a valid election - regardless of how many ballots are required. Previously, the cardinals could accept an absolute majority after unsuccessful ballots.

After three days without a result, the papal election is interrupted for a maximum of one day for prayers - this would be the coming Saturday. After 34 ballots, only the two candidates with the most votes from the previous ballot are considered. A two-thirds majority is still required. The two affected cardinals do not vote in this case. However, in the past 200 years, a conclave has never lasted longer than four days.

Papal Election: White Smoke and "Habemus Papam"

The Cardinal Dean or a deputy asks the elected candidate in the papal election whether he accepts the office and what name he wishes to take as pope. This time, it will not be Cardinal Dean Re, who due to his age is no longer allowed to participate in the conclave, but the highest-ranking cardinal under 80 years old, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who will take on this role. In the so-called "Room of Tears," the new pope dons the papal garments alone after the papal election and can once again freely express his emotions. In the next step, the cardinals swear allegiance to the new pope.

As long as the cardinals cannot agree on a pope, the ballots from each voting round are burned with a chemical additive, causing black smoke to rise from the chimney on the chapel. When a new pope is elected, white smoke rises, and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica ring. The Cardinal Protodeacon, currently the Frenchman Dominique Mamberti, steps onto the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica about an hour later and announces: "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope"). He announces the birth name and the chosen papal name of the new pontiff. Subsequently, the new pope steps onto the balcony, delivers a few words of greeting, and gives the blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the city and the world").

(APA/Red)

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