Pope Francis remains critical: How Vatican elects its new leader through the ‘secretive’ papal conclave

As Pope Francis continues to be hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital, discussions on the future leadership of the Catholic Church. Before the Vatican assured that the condition of the Pope is stable, his age and history of health concerns have led to the theater discussion on how the new Pope is elected.

What happens when the Pope resigns or passes?

When the Pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church temporarily passes to the Cardinal College, a group of high-ranking church officials appointed by the Pope. These cardinals carry differentiated red clothes and are responsible for selecting the next Church leader.

In the case of papal vacancies, the cardinals gather for a number of general meetings in the Vatican, where they are discussing the global challenges of the Church and are preparing for the upcoming elections. During this period, basic decisions, which only the Pope may form, for example, appointing bishops.

How is the chemistry operating?

Traditionally, the papal residence is vacant, the cardinals keep a special mass in St. Peter’s basilica before making elections.

The cardinals under the age of 80 have the right to vote, and their number is limited to 120. These cardinal voters are collected in the Sistine Chapel, where the doors of the chapel are sealed.

What is the voting process?

The voting process is very structural and traditional. Each cardinal writes the name of his preferred candidate with a ballot. Ballots are folded and the fruit juice under Michelangelo is under Michelangelo’s Fresco. The votes are calculated loudly and are recorded with three designated cardinals.

Four rounds of the voting are held every day until one candidate provides two third majority.

If no candidate receives the required votes, ballots are burned with chemicals that produce black smoke, signaling the world that the Pope was not elected.

How is the new grandfather announced?

When the cardinal provides two-thirds of the voting, the Dean of the Cardinals College asks whether he accepts the elections. If he does it, he chooses a papal name and the donkeys traditional papal clothes.

To signal to the world, the latest pope, the last ballots are burned with chemicals that produce white smoke from the chimney of Sistine Chapel.

The senior cardinal Deacon then steps on the balcony of St. Peter’s basilica and declares historical words. “Habemus Papam” (We have Pope). The newest-elect Rome then performs his first public appearance, passing his blessing to Rome and the world.

Who will vote from India?

At least four cardinals will vote from India if the papal final will take place in the near future. They are the archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrão; Chief Archbishop Catholicos of the Sino-Malnamala Catholic Church, Cardinal Clayimis Baselios; Archbishop Heidenerabad Metropolite, Cardinal Anthony Lowa; and Xio-Malabar Archbishop, Cardinal George Hakob Kovakad.