The Conclave Has Begun

 

The conclave has begun and is the process by which cardinals of the Catholic Church elect a new pope. Here's a brief overview:

 

1. Preparation: After a pope dies or resigns, cardinals under 80 years old gather in Vatican City. The process is governed by strict rules, ensuring secrecy and isolation.
2. Seclusion: Cardinals are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel and nearby residences, cut off from the outside world—no phones, internet, or external communication.
3. Voting: Voting occurs in the Sistine Chapel, with up to four ballots per day (two morning, two afternoon). Cardinals write a name on a secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is needed to elect a pope.
4. Counting and Burning: Ballots are counted by scrutineers. If no candidate gets two-thirds, the ballots are burned with a chemical to produce black smoke, signalling no decision. If a pope is elected, ballots are burned to produce white smoke, indicating success.
5. Acceptance and Announcement: The elected cardinal is asked if he accepts. If he does, he chooses a papal name. The new pope is announced to the world from St. Peter’s Basilica with the words Habemus Papam (“We have a pope”).

The process continues until a pope is chosen, typically lasting a few days. Secrecy and tradition are central, with measures like oath-taking and electronic sweeps to prevent leaks.