How a New Pope is Elected: The Secret Conclave Process Explained

Pope Francis's Passing and Funeral Rites

• 🕊️ Pope Francis, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died after a period of deteriorating health, including a severe bout of pneumonia.
• 💔 His death was marked by a nine-day mourning period known as the novena, with his body prepared for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica.
• ⚰️ In a break from tradition, Pope Francis opted for a simplified funeral, including lying in an open coffin and being buried in the Santa Maria Majiori Basilica rather than the Vatican grotto.

The Papal Conclave: Election Process

• ⛪ Following the funeral, the College of Cardinals convenes in the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave to elect a new pope.
• 🗳️ Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in this highly secretive gathering.
• 📜 Each cardinal takes an oath of secrecy before casting votes into a chalice at the altar.

Determining the New Pontiff

• ⚖️ A candidate must secure a two-thirds majority to be elected the new pope.
• 🔥 If no candidate reaches the required majority, multiple rounds of voting occur, with ballots burned in a secret stove.
• 💨 Black smoke signifies no decision has been reached, while white smoke signals the election of a new pontiff.

Announcing the New Pope

• 🗣️ Upon acceptance, the elected cardinal chooses a papal name and is dressed in white vestments.
• 🎉 He then appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, and a cardinal announces "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope).
• 🌍 The new pontiff delivers his first address, setting the direction for the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.