VATICAN CITY โ The passing of a pope sets in motion an intricate series of age-old traditions involving sacred oaths taken by the cardinals who are tasked with electing the next pontiff. This process includes the dramatic piercing of ballots with a needle and thread post-counting, followed by their ceremonial burning. This burning ritual produces either white or black smoke to indicate whether a new leader for the worldโs 1.3 billion Catholics has been chosen.
The election process maintains a veil of secrecy, with cardinals strictly prohibited from sharing any details from the conclave held within the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel. While some elements might be dramatized in media, as seen in the film โConclave,โ the essence of the ritual remains largely unchanged. The rules governing these papal elections were revised in 1996 by St. John Paul II and later amended twice by Pope Benedict XVI before his resignation. This set of procedures comes into play immediately following a popeโs death, a period known as โsede vacante,โ meaning โthe vacant See.โ
Who handles interim responsibilities? Following the demise of a pope, the camerlengo, or chamberlain, is tasked with certifying the death and sealing the papal apartment. Acting as the caretaker, the camerlengo oversees the Holy Seeโs administrative and financial matters until a new pope is appointed. Currently, this ceremonial role is filled by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-born American and head of the Vaticanโs laity office.
Upon the popeโs death, most Vatican office prefects are relieved from their duties, although a select few retain their responsibilities, such as the foreign minister and the master of liturgical ceremonies, who plays a significant part in organizing the conclave. The funeral is presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, presently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, formerly in charge of the Vaticanโs office for bishops. Notably, Pope Francis has altered the rites for his funeral, highlighting simplicity and opting for his burial at St. Mary Major Basilica beside a beloved icon of the Virgin Mary.
What follows next timing-wise? The popeโs death triggers an exact progression of events: from the death confirmation at his residence, through the transfer of his coffin for public viewing at St. Peterโs Basilica, to the funeral Mass and subsequent burial. This burial must occur between the fourth and sixth days after his passing, succeeded by nine days of official mourning, the โnovendiali.โ
During mourning, cardinals convene in Rome, and the conclave starts 15-20 days after โsede vacanteโ begins, once all cardinals have arrived. Eligible electors are cardinals under 80 years of age, with a regulation cap of 120 electors, though this has been surpassed on several occasions. As of the latest count, 135 cardinals under 80 are eligible, although others may participate in the pre-conclave discussions but cannot vote.
Who might be considered for the papacy? Although any baptized Roman Catholic male can technically be elected pope, tradition since 1378 dictates that only cardinals have been selected. Some current prominent figures in the running include Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy, serving as Francisโ secretary of state; Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada, overseeing the bishopsโ office till 2023; Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn from Austria, a disciple of Pope Benedict XVI; Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, leading the Vaticanโs missionary office; and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy, president of the Italian bishops conference.
Balloting process: Voting commences with a single ballot on the afternoon following the mass, progressing to bi-daily ballots until a new pope is elected or another round is necessitated. Ballots have โEligo in Summum Pontificemโ written on them, where each cardinal fills in his choice, attesting to its honesty, before depositing it. Three designated scrutineers verify each ballotโs accuracy, read allowed names, and announce results. If no candidate secures a two-thirds majority, additional rounds follow, with Benedict XVIโs revisions ensuring this requirement remains fixed against deadlock-induced majoritarian shifts.
Secrecy and Consequences: Pope Benedict tightened conclave secrecy, enforcing automatic excommunication for any breaches, extending John Paulโs rules with an explicit oath. Assistance members and cardinals couldnโt have hidden payments or secular influence under the threat of excommunication.
When a pope is elected, punctured ballots are burned in a special stove, issuing black smoke for no decision, white for successful selection; chemicals guarantee clarity. Concurrently, bells ring, announcing the election. St. Peterโs Square then witnesses the declaration, โHabemus Papam!โ as the new pope introduces himself, delivering his first papal blessing.