Mourning on Francis: How is his successor now chosen?

While the world is around the Pope Francis (1936-2025) Sad, who died on Easter on Monday at the age of 88, is the first preparations to choose behind in the background. When the Pope dies or resigns, a careful organized process begins in the Catholic Church. This centuries -old traditions combine deep spirituality and accurate procedural rules.

after death Or the resignation of the Pope gathering the Cardinals from all over the world to the “public gatherings” in the Vatican. Conclave begins between 15 and 20 days after vacancies, in the current case in early May. Before the official start, the Cardinals celebrate the Holy Liturgy together in Bazilica St. Peter to ask the Holy Spirit for leadership.

Cardinals, who are entitled to vote, move to the Sistin Church under singing “Vinnie as a soul”. Corpocene who is under the age of 80 years is entitled to vote, 137 at the present time. After “Omnes is additional!” (“All out!”) In addition to the Cardinals who are entitled to vote, they all leave the church. The doors are closed and any connection with the outside world is banned.

In theory, every baptized male is deliberate pope To choose, but practically, the cardinal is almost always chosen. Cardinals discuss potential candidates and take into account spiritual and moral integrity, leadership qualities, theological knowledge and experience. Upon voting, all Cardinal writes the name of his candidate on a ballot and puts it in a cup.

The majority of voters present for successful selection are required. If no candidate gets this majority, the ballot papers are burned and black smoke rises from the Sistin Church chimney. The vote (four electoral groups per day) continues until the Cardinal reaches a two -thirds majority.

If the cardinal receives the required majority, he will be asked if he accepts the choice. When accepting, he chooses his papal name and wears white papal clothes for the first time. The burning ballot papers now create a white smoke indicating the world chosen on the new Pope. Shortly later, the Cardinal Protievone of Peters Bazilica’s balcony announced this Habemus Papam (“Our Pope”). Then the new Pontifex steps on the balcony and gives his first blessing “Urbi et orbi”.

The duration of complaints – some of them only varies a day, different weeks, but in modern history, the process usually takes a few days. If this is the case again, then the new Pope should appear in mid -May.