Process for Electing a New Pope After Pope Francis's Passing

Official Mourning Period

• mourning period for the spiritual leader will last for the next nine days.
• 🌍 The Pope will lie in state in St. Peter Square for the final few days, allowing the public to pay their respects.
• 🕊️ A grand, solemn funeral ceremony conducted in Latin will be held, attended by world leaders.

The Papal Conclave

• ⛪ The conclave, an assembly of cardinals, will convene to elect a new pope.
• 🤫 Participants will be sealed off from the outside world in the Sistine Chapel and take an oath of secrecy.
• 🗳️ A new pope can only be chosen with a two-thirds majority vote.

Election Process and Signals

• 🗂️ If a candidate does not receive the required majority, further rounds of prayer, discussion, and voting will occur.
• ⚫ Failed voting rounds will result in ballots being burned with a chemical that produces black smoke, signaling no decision has been made.
• ⚪ The selection of a new pope will be announced to the world via white smoke.

Transition of Authority

• 🏛️ Cardinal Kevin Ferrell is currently acting as the head of the Vatican and is overseeing the proceedings.
• 📺 Local 10 will provide continuing coverage and live reports from Vatican City.