When and How the Pope of Rome Will Be Elected: Details

The Conclave for the election of the Pope of Rome will convene on May 7. This decision was made today by the Cardinals. BBC has presented the details of the papal election process.

It is noted that 135 Cardinals under the age of 80 have the right to vote for the Pope. The Cardinals represent different parts of the world in the following proportions: Europe – 53 Cardinals, Asia – 23, Latin America – 21, Africa – 18, North America – 16, Oceania – 4.

Following the funeral of Pope Francis, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, has 15-20 days to gather the Cardinals in Rome.

During the Conclave, the Cardinals reside at the Domus Sanctae Martae, a five-story hotel with 106 suites, 22 single rooms, and state apartments. Each day, the participating Cardinals travel from the Domus to the Sistine Chapel along Via delle Fondamenta. They are strictly forbidden from any contact with the outside world during the Conclave, being isolated until a new Pope is elected.

Believers gather in St. Peter's Square, waiting for the moment when smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. On the first day of the Conclave, one vote is held, while on subsequent days, up to four rounds can take place daily. A new Pope is elected only if he receives the support of at least two-thirds of the electing Cardinals. Reaching this majority can take time.

Each Cardinal writes their choice on a simple ballot paper inscribed in Latin: “I elect the Supreme Pontiff…” followed by the name of the candidate. The Cardinals vote in order of age, dropping their ballots into a silver-gilt chalice. Afterwards, three assistants of the Camarlengo, the counters, tally the votes and announce the results aloud. The ballots are tied together and burned. The outside world watches the color of the smoke that emerges from the chimney. Black smoke indicates that a consensus has not been reached, necessitating another vote, while white smoke signifies that a new Pope has been elected.

If no consensus is reached by the third day, the Cardinals may declare a one-day pause for prayer and consultations. Later, pauses are permitted after every seven votes. If no decision is made after 33 rounds of voting, the Cardinals can simplify the process by leaving only the two candidates who received the most votes.

Conclaves often last several days. The longest Conclave in history, which began in 1268, lasted for two years and nine months. Since then, the rules have been changed multiple times to expedite the process. Since the 20th century, the average duration of Conclaves has been three days, with the longest Conclave of 1922 lasting just five days. Pope Francis and his predecessor, Benedict XVI, were elected within two days.

During the Conclave, two furnaces are set up in the back of the Sistine Chapel. In the right furnace, the ballots are burned, while in the left, substances that create colored smoke to indicate voting results are combusted. Black smoke, representing disagreement, is produced from a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur. White smoke, notifying of a successful election, is created from a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and pine resin. The smoke is visible from the chimney positioned in St. Peter's Square. As white smoke appears, bells ring to avoid confusion.

Each new Pope officially accepts his service before the College of Cardinals and announces the name he has chosen for his pontificate. After his election, Pope Francis (formerly Jorge Mario Bergoglio) declared that he had chosen the name “Francis” in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, inspired by the counsel of his close friend, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes.

During the first 500 years of the papacy, Popes used their baptismal names. Later, the tradition changed, and names became symbolic, either shortening long names or expressing a spiritual connection with previous Popes. Historically, the most common name is John, followed by Gregory, Benedict, and Clement.

At the end of the ceremony, the new Pontiff steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and addresses the faithful, announcing: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum... habemus papam!” – “I announce to you a great joy... we have a Pope!”