The sacred vote: How does the Catholic Church elect the new pope?

With the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, one of the most secretive and sacred ritual of Christianity begins – the election of the new pope.

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So, how does this process unfold? Immediately after the passing of the pope, the Vatican camerlengo, a position currently held by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, will call out the pontiff’s baptismal name three times before officially pronouncing him dead.

The Ring of the Fisherman, a signet that was worn by Pope Francis during his 12-year tenure, will be destroyed by Cardinal Ferrell. While it once served to prevent forgeries, its destruction today is largely symbolic. The papal apartment where he resided – in this case, a room at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Saint Martha's House), is sealed. He will then proclaim the words sede vacante (the seat is vacant).

Cardinal Ferrell then informs the College of Cardinals about the pope’s passing, initiating preparations for his funeral, the nine day mourning period, and the upcoming conclave.

How is the papal election conducted?

The election of the pope is a centuries old practise which is governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. Usually, the conclave assembles 15-20 days after the passing of the pontiff. The cardinals will reside at the Domus Sanctae Marthae while the voting takes place at the Sistine Chapel.

It is important to note that, while currently there are 252 cardinals across the globe, only 135 are eligible to vote due to a rule which states that the cardinals must be under the age of 80.

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Though what happens behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel is cloaked in secrecy, a general process of the election is known to the public. All electronics are taken away from the cardinals, after which they swear an oath of secrecy.

While all 135 cardinals are eligible for candidacy, a few favourites have emerged that will most likely succeed Pope Francis. The cardinals will write the name of their preferred candidate on a ballot inscribed with the words Eligo in summen pontificem, Latin for “I elect as Supreme Pontiff”.

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One by one, they approach the altar and cast their vote, declaring: "I call as my witness, Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected."

The ballots are then opened, read aloud, pierced, threaded and tied in a bunch. A cardinal must obtain two-thirds favour in order to succeed as the next pope. If this is not achieved, the voting continues until it is.

The entire process occurs four times a day until a consensus is reached. The 2013 papal conclave that led to the decision to elect Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who later chose the name Francis during his papacy, lasted for two days.

At the time of the conclave, crowds gather on the grounds of St Peter’s Basilica. Though unaware of the happenings inside the Sistine Chapel, a chimney placed atop the structure is indicative of whether a new pope has been elected.

If no pope is chosen, the ballots are thrown into the fire mixed with a chemical which results in the emission of black smoke. If a new pope is elected, the cardinal-elect will be asked: "Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?". Once he accepts the role, white smoke will arise from the chimney, an indication to the public that the new leader of the Catholic Church has been selected.

The new pope will then change from his familiar red ferraiolo into the fresh white cassock, after which all cardinals swear their obedience to him.

The Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, currently Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, will announce Habemus Papam! (We have a pope!) to the general public before the new pope emerges onto St Peter’s Basilica’s Loggia of the Blessings to deliver his first papal address.

The new pontiff is expected to be elected by mid-May, raising the question – who will bear the great responsibility of continuing the work Pope Francis began? 

World