The Papal Conclave: How Cardinals Elect a New Pope

The Papal Conclave Begins

• 🇻🇦 The conclave to elect the 267th pope officially begins tomorrow at the Vatican.
• 🔒 Cardinals are currently living in seclusion inside the Vatican until a new pope is named.
• 🗣️ The word "conclave" originates from Latin, meaning "with a key," signifying the cardinals being locked inside the Sistine Chapel.

The Election Process

• ⛪ The process starts with a mass celebrated by the dean of the college of cardinals, followed by the cardinals proceeding to the Sistine Chapel.
• 📜 Cardinals take an oath before the doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed with the Latin phrase "extra omnes" (get out).
• 🗳️ Voting takes place at the chapel altar, with cardinals casting ballots in front of Michelangelo's "Last Judgment."
• 📊 A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope.

Smoke Signals and Duration

• 💨 White smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signals that a new pope has been elected.
• ☁️ Black smoke indicates that the voting continues without a clear majority.
• ⏳ While the last two conclaves lasted only two days, the duration can vary significantly.
• 💬 Cardinals have been open about their predictions for the conclave's length, with some suggesting it could conclude by Friday.

Global Anticipation

• 🌍 Over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide will be anxiously awaiting the announcement "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope).
• 📺 Once the conclave begins, cardinals are cut off from the outside world, with no access to televisions, newspapers, or radios.
• 🎤 Eyewitness News anchor Joe Torres reports live from Vatican City, providing updates on the unfolding events.