Pope Francis Died. What Happens Now?

Summary

This video provides an in-depth look at the process of selecting a new pope through the papal conclave. It explains the importance of the two-thirds majority vote, the roles of various cardinals, and the careful procedures in place to ensure secrecy and fairness. The process includes multiple rounds of voting, with results signaled by the color of smoke. The election is designed to be quick and efficient, unlike past conclaves that took months. Ultimately, once a pope is elected, a formal announcement is made with the iconic 'habemus papam' declaration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The next pope will be elected by a two-thirds majority (90 out of 135 cardinals) from the college of cardinals.
• 😀 The election process begins with a series of meditations, followed by a swearing of secrecy and an explanation of the conclave rules.
• 😀 Cardinal Perilin, the senior cardinal bishop, will lead the conclave proceedings and guide the cardinals through the election process.
• 😀 The process involves the drawing of lots for key roles, including scrutiners (vote counters), revisers (double-checking the votes), and infirmari (collecting votes from sick cardinals).
• 😀 The election involves multiple rounds of voting, with two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon after the second day of the conclave.
• 😀 Ballots are burned after each vote. Black smoke indicates no pope was elected, while white smoke signals the selection of a new pope.
• 😀 The voting process is efficient, with the election of Pope Francis in 2013 only taking five ballots after two days of voting.
• 😀 After a pope is elected, the cardinal dean asks the candidate two crucial questions: whether they accept the election and what name they wish to adopt.
• 😀 Once the new pope accepts, the protodeacon announces 'Habemus Papam' to declare the election and reveal the new pope's name and papal title.
• 😀 The process of electing a new pope is swift compared to historical elections, which could take months or even years in the past.
• 😀 The conclave and voting system ensure both secrecy and integrity, reducing the likelihood of tampering and ensuring a fair election.

Q & A

What is the process for electing a new pope?

The election of a new pope is carried out by the College of Cardinals, who vote in a secret conclave. The candidate must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes to be elected, and after each voting round, the ballots are burned to signal whether or not a pope has been chosen (black smoke for no, white smoke for yes).

Who is eligible to vote in the papal conclave?

Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the papal conclave. Any cardinal over the age of 80 cannot participate in the voting.

What is the significance of the two-thirds majority in the papal election?

A two-thirds majority is required for a pope to be elected. This ensures that the elected pope has broad support among the cardinals, representing a consensus choice rather than a narrow majority.

Who leads the conclave proceedings?

The conclave is led by the senior cardinal bishop. In this case, Cardinal Petro Perilin, a 70-year-old Italian, is overseeing the conclave proceedings.

What roles do the cardinals draw lots for at the beginning of the conclave?

The most junior cardinal deacon draws lots to select cardinals for three important roles: scrutiners (who tabulate the votes), revisers (who double-check the results), and infirmari (who collect ballots from cardinals who are physically unable to vote in person).

How often do the cardinals vote during the conclave?

Voting typically occurs twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon starting from the second day of the conclave, continuing daily until a pope is elected. Voting on the first day is limited to one session in the afternoon.

How do the cardinals ensure that the vote count is accurate and secure?

The cardinals employ a system where ballots are scrutinized by selected cardinals (scrutineers), and their work is verified by revisers to ensure accuracy and prevent corruption. Additionally, the identities of the cardinals are kept secret to protect the integrity of the election process.

How quickly can a new pope be elected in the modern conclave process?

The modern conclave process is relatively fast. For instance, Pope Francis was elected by the end of the second day, with only five ballots being needed. This is a significant improvement compared to past conclaves that sometimes took months.

What happens if a cardinal is asked to accept the papacy and refuses?

If a cardinal chosen as pope refuses to accept the election, the process starts over, and a new vote is conducted to select a new candidate.

What happens after a pope is elected?

Once a candidate receives the required two-thirds vote, they are asked if they accept the election and to choose their papal name. The protodeacon then announces the new pope's election by declaring 'Habemus Papam' in Latin, followed by the new pope's name.