Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
After the pope dies, Catholic church He chooses his next leader through an ancient election process called “Papal Conclave”.
In practice, at least 1276, the conclave collects the leading bishops of the church – called the Cardinals College – from all over the world. Despite the fact that more than 240 cardinals are now, only those who have not reached 80 years of age have the right to vote in conclave, and the number of radical voters is limited to 120.
Almost all Vatican offices are losing their jobs when the Pope Pope, but somewhat remains, including the Foreign Minister and the master of liturgical ceremonies, which play a key role in the assembly of conclave.
The conclave is going on Sistine Vatican Chapel And the cardinals are kept in strict insulation to keep them far from the external influence from the rest of the world. This isolation is so important in the process that even the name of the conclave comes from the Latin “Con clavis”, which means “with the key”, which indicates how the dramatic voters are blocked when they deliberately relate to who will become the new pope.
Pope Francis is dead in 88, the Vatican says
The journey is carried over the coffin of Pope John Paul II German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger during a funeral Mass on St. Peter’s Square on April 8, 2005 in the Vatican city. (Peter McDormide/Getti Image)
There is also an emphasis on the pope’s election quickly to reduce the amount of time that the Church spends without a leader. The cardinals took their first voice a day when the conclave begins. Then they reject the voices at least twice a day after – in the morning and evening – until the Pope is selected.
The general practice in the modern Catholic Church is that the cardinals choose the Pope from among their own ranks, although it was not always.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan at the gloomy moment of closure of Catholic schools: “I tear”
Pope Francis receives Vice President JD Vance, Vatican on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Vatican media via AP, HO)
Usually the results begin with a special Mass that is marked in Basilica St. Peter, In which the cardinals refer to the Holy Spirit for leadership.
Cardinals voted in favor of the Pope through a secret newsletter. At each vote, the cardinal will write its choice on paper, processes the giant mural Michaelangela of the last trial – which serves as a reminder of the gravity and sacredness of their responsibility – and reject the vote in Kelis.
Conference of US Catholic Bishops sues Trump for immigration, refugee funding to freeze
The Cardinals of the Catholic Church attend the conclave in the election in the Sistine Chapel on April 18, 2005 in the Vatican. (Arturo Mari – Vatican Pool/ Getti Image)
Two -thirds of the majority of votes are needed to choose a new pope. More than two -thirds of voters entitled to Cardinal have been assigned Pope Francis. However, these cardinals hold a diverse set of perspectives and come from different parts of the world.
After each vote, the ballots are burned and the ashes are used to send the signal the rest of the world as to whether the decision was made. The black smoke that rises from the Sistine Chapel means that there was no consensus, while white smoke means that the pope was chosen.
Gerhard Ludwig Cardinal Mueller, on the right, during the Consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica. (Johannes Noidecker/Alliance Image)
After the cardinal receives two -thirds of the majority, the Cardinals’ College’s Dean asks him if he is ready to accept this post. If he accepts he must choose his papal name. Cardinal Jose Mario Bergolio chose the name “Pope Francis”, became the first Pope who chose the name.
Click here to get to the Fox News app
After the world warns about burning white smoke, the new pope is announced with the oldest cardinal, which proclaims “Habemus Pope!” – “We have a dad” – after which the recently chosen pontiff processes and gives his first blessing to the city of Rome and the whole world.
