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Catholic Church to Elect New Pope in Conclave
Following Pope Francis's death, the Catholic Church will hold a conclave within 15-20 days to elect his successor; 135 cardinals under 80 will participate in a secret process in the Sistine Chapel, using ballots and smoke signals to announce the result.
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PoliticsOtherCatholic ChurchVaticanPopeConclavePapal Election
Catholic ChurchVatican
Pope FrancisJorge BergoglioKevin Joseph FarrellBenedict XviJohn Paul Ii
- What is the timeline and process for electing the next Pope after the death of Pope Francis?
- After Pope Francis's death, the Catholic Church has 15-20 days to begin the conclave, the process of electing his successor. The conclave, derived from the Latin "cum clavis" (with key), is a secretive assembly of cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, following strict rules developed since the 13th century. Cardinals under 80 years old participate, with secrecy maintained throughout the voting process.
- Who are the key participants in the conclave, and what are their roles in the election process?
- The conclave's secrecy makes its duration unpredictable; the 2013 election took just over 24 hours, while the longest in recent history (1922) lasted 5 days. Of the 252 active cardinals, 135 are eligible to vote, with 108 appointed by Pope Francis, 22 by Benedict XVI, and 5 by John Paul II. The process begins after Francis's funeral rites, overseen temporarily by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.
- What contingency plans are in place if the conclave prolongs without a clear winner, and how is the final result publicly communicated?
- The voting process involves three cardinals counting votes (scrutineers), three collecting ballots from ill cardinals (infirmarii), and three reviewing (revisers). Ballots are cast with a formal declaration, and if no candidate receives two-thirds of the vote, further rounds occur until a Pope is elected. Public announcement is made via smoke signals: black for no election, white for a new Pope.
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Direct Relevance
The article describes the process of electing a new pope, a key figure in a major global religion. The peaceful and organized transition of power within the Catholic Church contributes to social stability and reinforces institutions. The secrecy and rules governing the conclave aim to ensure a fair and transparent process, promoting justice and strong institutions within the Church.