Since Pope Francis remains hospitalized in the Roman hospital Gemelli, the discussions of the future leadership of the Catholic Church gained strength. While the Vatican assured that the state of the Pope was stable, its age and history of health problems have led to a renewed focus on the process of the papal concrele, which determines how the new Pope is selected.
What happens if the Pope resigns or dies?
When the Pope dies or resigns, the administration of the Catholic Church temporarily moves to the College of Cardinals, a group of high -ranking church officials named by the Pope himself. These cardinals wear a characteristic red robes and are responsible for choosing another leader of the Church.
In the case of the papal free space, cardinals gather in a Vatican for a number of general congregations, where they discuss the global challenges of the Church and prepare for the upcoming elections known as Conclave. During this period, the main decision is given, which can only make the Pope – for example the appointment of bishops -.
How does the conclave work?
Traditionally, 15 to 20 days after the papal chair is unoccupied, the cardinals hold a special mass in the Basilica of St. Peter before they continue the elections.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote and their number is limited to 120. These cardinal voters are gathering in the Sizen Chapel, where before closing the chapel's door, the oath of absolute secrets.
What is the process of voting?
The vote process is highly structured and traditional. Each cardinal writes the name of its preferred vote candidate. The vote is folded and placed in Kalini under Michelangelo's last judgment. Voices are calculated aloud and recorded by three designated cardinals.
Four rounds of vote are held every day until one candidate provides a two -thirds majority.
If no candidate receives the required votes, the ballots are burned with chemicals that produce black smoke, which signals the world that no Pope has been selected.
How is the new Pope announced?
As soon as the cardinal ensures two thirds of the vote, the Dean College of Cardinals asks if he receives the elections. If so, he selects a papal name and dresses a traditional papal robe.
In order to sign the world that a new Pope has been selected, the last ballots are burned with chemicals that produce white smoke from the Sixtine Chapel chimney.
Senior Cardinal Deacon then enters the balcony of the Basilica of St. Peter and announces the historical words: “Habemus papam” (we have the Pope). The newly elected Pope is then manifested for the first time with a public performance and transmits his blessing of Rome and the world.
Who will vote from India?
If the Papal Conclave takes place in the near future, at least four cardinals from India will vote. They are Archbishop Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrão; The main Archbishop-Katolicos of the Catholic Church of Syro-Malan, Cardinal Cleemis Baselios; Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad, Cardinal Anthony Poola; and Archbishop Syro-Malabar, Cardinal George Jacob Kovakad.
