After Pope Francis’s death on Easter Monday, the Catholic Church is now in its traditional nine-day mourning period, called the novendiales. Cardinals gathered on Tuesday to discuss the schedule of the forthcoming Conclave, the ancient practice for the election of a new Pope.
Regulations for Eligibility in the Conclave
Under the current system, only cardinals younger than 80 are entitled to vote during the Conclave. Although in theory any male Catholic could be voted in as Pope, the convention of electing pontiffs from among cardinals has been followed for centuries.
There is no age cap for becoming the next pope. Pope Francis himself was elected at the age of 76 and served until his death at 88. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, assumed office at 78 and retired eight years later at 85.
When Will the Conclave Start?
Following the funeral, to be held between the fourth and sixth day after the death of Pope Francis—on Saturday, 26 April—the Conclave is likely to start between 15 and 20 days later. The current camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, is in charge of organizing the election.
Prior to the Conclave, Cardinal Farrell will preside over significant ceremonial tasks, such as smashing the Pope’s ring with a ceremonial hammer to avoid forgery, and sealing the Pope’s study and bedroom with a red ribbon.
Inside the Conclave: A Secretive Process
The Conclave procedure will be initiated by a special morning mass, followed by the 135 voting-age cardinals convening within the Sistine Chapel. After the summoning of “extra omnes” (“everybody out”), only the oath-sworn cardinals will stay locked within the Sistine until they have decided.
All of the 252 cardinals can attend preparatory meetings, termed general congregations, but vote only those younger than 80.
How the Voting Works
Voting is overseen by nine randomly selected cardinals: three serve as scrutineers to manage the ballot, three collect votes, and three verify the count. A two-thirds majority is necessary for election.
Early votes will not necessarily yield a quick outcome. By speeches, prayer, and political debate, the cardinals eliminate candidates on successive rounds of voting. Only the two front-runners on the last ballot are left when voting reaches the 34th ballot.
The vote is concealed, and the cardinals are urged to record their votes with muddled handwritting to keep to themselves. If ballots are being burned, a black smoke that indicates no selection has been made is released. If a Pope is chosen, the smoke turns white.
Conclave’s Historic Background
The process of choosing a new leader goes back many centuries. The longest recorded Conclave, towards the end of the 1200s, lasted nearly three years as it was mired in political deadlock, even seeing three cardinals die in the course of balloting.
Instigated by Gregory XV in 1621 as a way of limiting political dealing, secret voting has yet to eliminate alliances and factions that can always dictate affairs.
The Final Steps to a New Pope
When a candidate has attained the required votes, the Dean of the College of Cardinals requests if he accepts the office. Once he has accepted, the new Pope picks a papal name. Interestingly enough, no pope has ever taken the name Peter, due to its identification with the Church founder and an old prophecy stating that the end times would occur with a Pope named Peter.
In advance, Vatican tailors create three sizes of papal vestments. Following his election, the new Pope vest in the Room of Tears, then emerges on the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony to welcome the crowd with the announcement: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I announce to you with great joy we have a pope.”)
