How the New Pope is Selected: Conclave’s Secret Explains
For centuries, heads of the Roman Catholic Church have been chosen through what is known as the Pope Conclave. The proceedings are covered in secret, and they are the subject of speculation and conspiracy.
More than 100 senior members of the clergy known as the Cardinals will meet and vote at the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. They are not permitted to leave or communicate with the outside world until an agreement is reached. This process can last for days, weeks, or even years.
origin
The word conclave comes from the Latin wordClimaxandkeyThe idea is that the Cardinals are held “under the lock and key” until they decide on a new leader, a tradition dating back to the 13th century.
The Italian Viterovo conclave following the death of Pope Clement IV, lasted from 1268 to 1271, becoming the longest in history. The frustrated townspeople tore the roof out of the Pope Palace and gave the cardinals only bread and water to force their decision. Eventually, the Cards were ordered not to leave until an agreement was reached. To avoid repeating these chaotic scenes, solid rules for the Pope election were established in 1276.
Sistine Chapel It was designated as a permanent site for the Pope’s enclave in 1878. There is a Cardinal currently taking part in Conclave Sleep at the Santa Marta Mansion within the Vatican. They are not allowed to contact electronics or the outside world, and cannot head to the chapel every day until the conclave is over.
Importance
Although the Pope has no formal say on secular issues, he has wielded considerable influence across Rome and around the world through the Church and its 1.4 billion followers, and through the diplomatic corps of the Holy Shee himself.
Each Pope has his own way of dealing with politics. Paul John Paul II, considered the bridge between West West democracy and Eastern Europe during the Cold War, even supported the solidarity of Polish trade unions, which played a major role in the downfall of communism.
Benedict XVI, who was Pope from 2005 to his resignation in 2013, was considered more of a theologian with limited interest in world affairs. His successor, Francis, who passed away on Monday, spoke openly about politics and publicly clashed with President Donald Trump about immigration plans.
In Italy, the Pope is a key figure in national issues, with governments of different political beliefs working to maintain strong ties with the Vatican, consulting the Pope on a variety of issues, including tax laws and LGBTQ rights.
process
After the Pope’s death or resignation, responsibility for the matters of the Church isThe Sacred College of the Cardinalsits number one priority is to prepare for the next conclave. Usually, 15 days of mourning is observed before this begins.
The university is made up of bishops and Vatican officials from around the world personally selected by the former Pope. Each nomination is important as it may affect the university’s stance on various issues and therefore the origins and views of the next Pope.
According to Canon law, only Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. The Conclave should consist of no more than 120 electors, but this limit is not always respected. In December 2024, Pope Francis appointed 21 new cardiacs to sum up the total.More130.
The discussion and four-round voting take place every day until one of the candidates (an almost certainly part of the Conclave) receives two-thirds of the vote.
Decided
The results of each vote were counted aloud and attracted attention. If no one receives the required vote, the ballot is burned on a stove near the chapel and added chemicals to blacken the smoke. Once the Cardinals are finally agreed, the final round of votes will be burned with white smoke-producing chemicals that appear in the Vatican, signaling the world that a new Pope has been chosen.
The minutes of the Sistine Chapel will be held in strict secrets. This is a tradition dating back to the 13th century, when the Pope is a key player in European politics and major powers try to influence the outcome, sometimes relying on threats and bribery. Secret votes have been maintained for centuries to protect cardinal independence and freedom. Even today, leaks of vote intentions before the Conclave or during Condian can be viewed as attempts to influence the outcome.
Roman Catholic faithful gather in St. Peter’s square to observe smoke signals and learn who will become their new spiritual leader.
The dean of the Cardinals’ sacred university asks the winner of the vote if they would accept the election. If so, he chooses the name of the Pope and wears the Pope’s clothes before appearing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Cathedral.
This story was originally introduced Fortune.com