How to choose the next pope? Why do people pay attention to the smoke at Sistine Church?
The meeting to elect the new pope was held at the Vatican’s Sistine Church, where the Cardinal was secluded to ensure privacy. Following the principle of “extra omnes”, this means that all non-essential personnel are required to leave.
Pope Francis died at the age of 88, and the Cardinal College will soon hold a meeting governed by centuries-old traditions and updated Vatican rules to elect a new pope. After the death of the Pope, Cardinal Camerlengo was appointed to manage the affairs of the Roman Catholic Church until he was elected as the new pope. He formally confirmed the death of the Pope and assumed temporary administrative duties. The Cardinal College elected a new pope, including all the cardinals in the world. The maximum number of cardinals for this time has been capped at 120.
Meeting
The meeting of the Cardinal is known as the meeting, which begins 15-20 days after the pope is vacant. Prior to the meeting, the Cardinal meets daily to discuss the church’s issues, plan meetings and evaluate potential candidates. Non-voting cardinals (cardinals over 80) may also attend these meetings. Everyone, including the Cardinal and support staff, took the oath.
The meeting was held at the Vatican’s Sistine Church, where the Cardinal was secluded to ensure privacy. Follow the principle of “extra omnes”, which means that all non-essential personnel are required to leave. The Cardinal must live in Domus Sanctae Marthae and have no external communication.
Voting documents
As the voting process began, there were only four votes in a day, two votes were voted twice in the morning and two voted twice in the evening. Each cardinal was asked to write down the name of the selected candidate on the paper voting and disguise the handwriting to ensure anonymity. The candidate must select two-thirds of the majority of the votes. There are currently 120 cardinals, so this time the magic number is 80. The number of three elected examiners voted, verified it loudly, and recorded each vote.
White smoke
After each round of counting, the voting paper will be burned and smoke can be seen from St. Peter’s Square. It marks the code. Black smoke (“Fumata nera”) means that no candidates reach the required majority, so the process is to continue. White smoke (“Fumata Bianca”) represents a successful election, accompanied by a bell ring.
If no one is elected after round 30-40, the Cardinal may turn to a simple majority vote, or choose between the two main candidates, as stated by Benedict XVI’s amendment rules. After the candidates earned a two-thirds majority, the dean of the Cardinal College asked him, “Do you accept a normative election?” If he accepted, he would immediately become the pope and choose his pope name.
We have a pope!
The election of the new pope was announced on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, “Annuntio Vobis Gaudium Magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I announce to you a very happy joy: we have a pope!”). His name and title were announced. The Pope appears on the balcony and offers his first blessing “urbi et orbi”, meaning “to the city and the world.”
