Explainer
Behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, Cardinals from around the world convened to elect the 267th Bible.
When Pope Francis’ formal pursuit period ends, powerful members of the Catholic Church are turning their attention to the Pope Conclave of the Vatican City, where they are gathering to elect the next clergy.
Cardinals around the world choose Pope 267, the world’s 1.4 billion Catholic leader, in events of spiritual, political and global relevance. Francis passed away on April 21st at the age of 88, 12 years after the Pope.
The conclave, which begins Wednesday, will take place behind closed doors at the Sistine Chapel. It usually lasts for several days, and sometimes for several weeks.
Here’s what we know:
What is Pope Conclave?
The term conclave comes from the Latin term “con clavis.” This means “hold the key.” This is a reference to the tradition of locking the cardinals until a new Pope is elected. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope Conclave is a gathering of clergymen from the Cardinal College held to elect a new Pope. Known as the “Prince of the Church,” the Cardinals continue in a complex, centuries-old process rooted in the Middle Ages. Although tradition has evolved, the current procedure is heavily based on Dominis Gregis of the 1996 Apostle Constitution issued by Pope John Paul II, with amendments made later by Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinals under the age of 80 may attend meetings of all Cardinals regardless of age. Currently, there are 135 eligible voters.
What is the Pope?
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is considered the chief of the apostles of Jesus and the successor to St. Peter, the first leader of the early Christian Church. Therefore, the Pope holds the highest authority over the world’s Catholic Church in matters of faith, morality, governance and discipline. The Pope is the spiritual leader of Catholics around the world and is supported by 252 cardiacs today. “Pope Francis emphasized that true power comes from Jesus Christ and that he is merely a disciple, but the Pope is undoubtedly a powerful world figure,” Father Francis Lucas, a Catholic priest and executive director of the Catholic Media Network, told Al Jazeera. The Pope usually presides over the main church celebrations held at St. Peter’s Cathedral throughout the year. He is expected to meet more than 5,000 bishops from around the world at least once every five years. As a Bishop of Rome, he is also responsible for governing and administering the Vatican.
When will the conclave start?
The Pope Conclave is scheduled to begin Wednesday at the Vatican Apostles Palace or Sistine Chapel in the Pope Palace. This is Frances’ traditional nine days of mourning.
What happens on the first day of the Conclave?
10am (08:00 GMT): Mass for the Pope’s election
This day begins with “Pro Erigen de Pontific.” This means “for the election of the Pope,” the public masses of St. Peter Basilica, led by the dean of Cardinals University. It is a rigorous liturgy that asks the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in choosing a new Pope for the Holy Spirit.
4:30pm (14:30 GMT): Line to Sistine Chapel
In the afternoon, 135 electors gathered at Pauline Chapel, near the Sistine Chapel, and chanted the Saint Rittany. “This is an ancient prayer in the Catholic Church, where saints are named in a roll call, one by one,” said Stephen P. Millies, professor of public theology in Catholic Theology, a graduate school of Catholic Theology in Chicago, United States. “‘Pray for us, St. Peter, pray for us, St. James, pray for us’… seeking the intercession of all the holy men and women that have gone before us to pray for the success of Conclave,” explained Millies. They then recite the Beni Creator Spirits and process them into the Sistine Chapel. “There are prayers that call the Holy Spirit, as perfectly God as the Father and the Son, but there are spirits that guide the church,” added Millies.
“Extra Omness”: Lock the Conclave
After making the Oath of Secret, the phrase “Extra Omness!” is declared (“From Everyone!”) and the chapel is sealed. Only the electors and essential staff remain, separated from the outside world.
First vote
Cardinals may choose to vote in a single vote on the first day.
I’m going back to the residence
They return to their secured Vatican residence, Domus Sancte Maltae (House of St. Martha), where they remain in quarantine for the duration of Conclave. “This is a bit different to what we used to be today,” Millies said. “In the olden days, what they did was that they converted the salon of the Apostles Palace with very uncomfortable cots and water pitchers. …It was very uncomfortable that a room filled with very old people had to sleep in such a situation.
How will the vote be held?
Voting after the first day will occur up to four times, two times in the morning and twice in the afternoon. Each cardinal has received a vote marked “Erigo of the summum pontificem” (“I will elect the highest Pope”) and writes to selected candidates. Before Michelangelo’s final judgment, they approach the altar one by one, vow oaths, and vote for the Holy Grail.
If the Pope is not selected for the first four days of the Conclave, the vote will be suspended on the fifth day to ensure time for prayer, quiet reflection and informal discussion. Two-thirds of the majority are required to elect a Pope. If no one has reached that threshold, another vote will be made. After each round, the vote is burned. If black smoke appears from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, it means that the Pope has not been chosen. White smoke is in the Catholic Church with a new Pope. Black smoke is produced by burning a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulfur, while white smoke is attributed to a blend of coniferous resins known as potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin. The last two permutations, held in 2005 and 2013, were concluded by the end of the second day of the vote.
What challenges does Conclave face?
Francis greatly shaped the Cardinal of University during his Pope, highlighting the global expression and idyllic focus. That comes with its own unique challenges. “[The Catholic Church] Masimo Faguioli, professor of theology and religion studies at Villanova University, said, “It’s the most difficult thing for Catholicism,” and Professor of theology and religion at Villanova University, is a professor at the Graduate School of Theology and Religion at Villanova University, and as a whole detective has been added to the whole church, it’s a problem, so whether it’s a problem.
According to experts, each cardinal brings a clear vision. While people in the Global South may prioritize globalization and poverty, Asian cardinals may seek popes who understand Islam and support interfaith dialogue. “I think what Francis was intentionally doing was to invite these different concerns from different places to interact with each other,” Mills said. “And in his mind was a part of the world where Catholicism is a minority, a part of the world where Muslim majority and other majority, I think the experience of Catholics in those places was very heartfelt in his mind when he made these decisions,” he added.
What are the main challenges the church faces?
The Catholic Church faces multiple challenges today. Some of them include a decline in attendance in the West, an increase in secularism, and an increase in people who say they are not religiously related. The widespread sexual abuse scandal has undermined trust in church leaders, according to the Washington Post, and the Vatican said: Internally, modernization reform (on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and the role of women) and traditionalist values are increasing. But, experts say, one of the biggest challenges is to create a global church. “The Roman Catholic Church in the 21st century understands what it means to be a global church,” Mills said. “And what it means to ultimately become a global church is that the archbishop of New York City is as Roman Catholic as the poor baptized workers in East Timor,” he added.
What happens after the Pope is elected?
After the new Pope is elected, he first accepts the role and chooses the name of the Pope that reflects his vision and inspiration. The previous Pope, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergolio, chose Francis as his pope name to honor St. Francis of Assisi. The new Pope then changes his white Pope’s clothes in the “Chain of Tears.” Reports say the tear room is named as tear room as many newly elected popes wear white cassocks for the first time and are overcome with emotions as they are fully grasped the weight of their new responsibility. Shortly afterwards, the senior cardinal announced, “Annutio Vobis Gaudium Magnum; Habemuspapam!” (“I announce my joy to you. We have a Pope!), from the balcony of St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the new Pope resigns to give his first public blessing.” The establishment of the new Pope completes the cycle of that event. And we’re going to fall into the business of seeing what appointments the new Pope continues within Vatican officials,” Mills explained. It will be very interesting, as will the statement the new Pope gives,” he added.
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