Here is a guide to the conclave that elects the Roman Catholic Church's next head:
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Who participates?
The cardinals who have not yet turned 80 years old when a pope dies or resigns get to elect the successor. Currently, there are over 250 cardinals worldwide, but only 135 of them are under 80 years old (including Swedish Anders Arborelius). Two have declined due to health reasons, which means that 133 cardinals from 71 countries are expected at the Vatican.
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Why is it called a conclave?
It comes from Latin "cum clave" (with key) and refers to the fact that the cardinals are locked in and without contact with the outside world until the process is over.
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What does it take to become pope?
Formally, any baptized and unmarried Catholic adult man can be elected. But it is an unwritten rule that he is chosen from the College of Cardinals – the last time a non-cardinal was elected was in 1378. To be elected pope, at least two-thirds of the College of Cardinals' votes are required.
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How does the voting take place?
On the first day of the conclave, Mass is celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica before the cardinals, singing, march into the Sistine Chapel. When the non-voting participants have left the room, the door is locked from the inside. Each cardinal takes an oath of secrecy and to follow his conscience. The first day, a secret ballot is held, then up to four per day until someone has received a two-thirds majority.
The cardinals write their pope's name on a piece of paper and bring the folded paper to an urn at the altar, where the ballots are carefully counted and in batches.
Several conclaves have taken a day, while the longest lasted for three years, between 1268 and 1271. From the 34th ballot, a decision can be made to vote on the two candidates who received the most votes in the last round.
And the smoke?
After each ballot, the ballots are threaded on a string, which is then burned in a specially installed stove. If the smoke from the chapel is black, it means that the voting was inconclusive. White smoke signals that a new pope has been elected.
The color is controlled with the help of chemicals in the stove and is a means of communication. This is because the cardinals are completely isolated and without access to the internet, telephony, or news media.
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What happens when the election is complete?
When the new pope has accepted the assignment and announced his papal name, he is taken to the Hall of Tears, where he puts on the pope's white robes. Shortly thereafter, the cardinal deacon goes out on St. Peter's balcony and says the winged words: "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope). The installation takes place about a week later.
Sources: Catholic Church, AP, CNN, Vatican News, and others
Should a pope work on issues such as war and peace, homosexuality, and female priests? Both progressive and conservative cardinals are featured in speculations about who will become the next pope. Here are some hot names:
Luis Antonio Tagle, 67 years old, from the Philippines: A charismatic cardinal who is considered to be close to Pope Francis on issues related to global justice.
Pietro Parolin, 70 years old, from Italy: The Vatican's Secretary of State and a more moderate voice that does not want to move too quickly in the process of change.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 59 years old, from Italy: The leader of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem and a person who has expressed support for the Palestinians and strongly committed to achieving peace in Gaza.
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65 years old, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Considered to be relatively conservative.
Peter Turkson, 76 years old, from Ghana, more progressive, engaged for homosexuals within the church.
Bubblers: Swedish Anders Arborelius, 75 years old, Italian Matteo Maria Zuppi, 69 years old, French Jean-Marc Aveline, 66 years old, Hungarian Péter Erdö, 72 years old, Maltese Mario Grech, 68 years old, Sri Lankan Malcolm Ranjith, 77 years old; American Timothy Dolan, 75 years old, and Canadian Francis Leo, 53 years old.
Sources: EFE, Ansa, Il Giornale
