How do I follow the real papal conclave starting on Wednesday

Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, was laid to rest in the papal basilica of the world Maria Major in Rome. Now the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are beginning to vote on Wednesday as a heir to a meeting known as a conclave. Only the cardinals of the younger than 80 years have the right to vote in the papal election. While 135 cardinals enter the age requirement of 80 and thus have the right to vote, two withdrew from the vote for health reasons, so 133 will vote.

The word “conclave” is known to many casualolics now thanks to the Hollywood feature film conclave, which was released in 2024 and is now available to watch streaming servicesS

Read more: Where to watch a conclave, the Vatican thriller for choosing a new pope

How to follow a conclave

There is no way to watch the true papal conclave as it takes place inside the walls of the Sistine Chapel and is private. And the movie, while it’s fun and well reviewed, is a fictional version. But of course, the main news networks will reflect any news outside the event.

Perhaps the most interesting way to follow is to set up Vatican’s own YouTube channelwhich transmits a webcam live from St. Peter Square in Rome, the large public square outside the Vatican buildings.

The news also creates innovative ways for people to follow the conclave. NBC News offers “smoke camera”, The webcam focuses on the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where in the end the white smoke will reveal when the pope was selected.

CNN created a 3D visualization From what the conclave will look like.

USA Today created a YouTube channel To convey a concentration coverage, starting from 6 to 9 pm ET (3-6 h. PT) on Wednesday.

CBS will broadcast a special conclave report anchored by Nora O’Donnel and Tony Dokupil, starting at 10:30 am on Wednesday.

Who are the contenders?

Several cardinals are considered to be potential strong candidates for the papacy. Cardinal Mateo Zupi of Italy is known for his diplomatic efforts and alignment with the vision of Pope Francis. Cardinal Luis Tale of the Philippines is also a prominent figure recognized for his intercession for social justice and reducing poverty. And Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana is discussed as a possible first African pope in the modern era.

Look for the white smoke

After the vote of the cardinals and their ballots are counted, the ballots are burned and chemicals are added to the flames for the production of black smoke if there is no majority. When a new pope is selected, chemicals will be added to the flames for the production of white smoke. The crowds gather at St. Peter’s Square to observe the results.

In the movie, Ralph Fines plays the role of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who leads the election of the next pope while investigating rumors of potential candidates. The film is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris and is invented – although it represents some of the events of how actual papal conclaves happen. In March, the film won the Academy Award for the best adapted script.

Voting takes so much time

Two -thirds of the cardinals are required to choose the next pope. The conclave is found behind closed doors and the vote is never made.

The conclave can take days or even weeks to finish. Although in the 13th century, it, it It is reported that it took three years To choose a pope, modern conclavi were much shorter. Pope Francis was selected in 2013 on the fifth newsletter on the second day of the Conclava.

There may be only two circles of voting a day, and the applicant needs two -thirds of the vote, plus one that must be selected. If this majority is not achieved after three days of vote, the process is stopped so that the cardinals can pray and discuss their capabilities CBS News reportsS

No, Trump won’t be a pope

Anyone who is baptized a Catholic can technically choose a pope, but in fact the next pope is elected by the Cardinals College. Cardinals are senior members of the clergy and are elected by the Pope to serve him advisers.

Days before Pope Francis’ funeral, US President Donald Trump in front of reportersObviously joking, “I would like to be a pope.” But as a non -otolik Trump has no right to be a pope.

Trump also shared Ai generated image of yourself as a pope On his true social media site last week. The official White House account Reposted the image X. The image is not considered funny by many.

“We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the Cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to choose a new heir to St. Peter,” The the New York Catholic Conference Write to XS “Don’t make fun of us.”

Trump’s Vice President, JD Vance, wrote to X that it was good with Trump’s image like a pope. Vance was not raised Catholic, but was baptized in faith in 2019. “As a general rule, I am well with the people who say jokes,” ” Vance writesS