How the Next Pope Is Chosen: The Papal Election Process
The selection of a new pope is one of the most secretive and sacred processes in the world. When the leader of the Catholic Church dies or resigns, the responsibility of electing a new pope falls on the College of Cardinals through a process known as a conclave. This tradition dates back centuries and is carefully designed to ensure a fair and divinely guided selection of the next leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.
Who Chooses the Next Pope?
The College of Cardinals is responsible for electing the new pope. However, not all cardinals can vote—only those under the age of 80 at the time of the papal vacancy are eligible. These cardinals are known as cardinal electors, and they gather in Vatican City to determine who will become the next pope.
While any baptized Roman Catholic male is technically eligible to be elected, since 1378, every pope has been chosen from the College of Cardinals.
How Does the Conclave Work?
1. The Papal Vacancy and Preparation
After a pope passes away or resigns, the Vatican waits 15 to 20 days before starting the conclave. During this time:
- The College of Cardinals gathers to discuss the needs of the Church.
- A Mass for the Election of the Pope is held at St. Peter’s Basilica.
- The cardinal electors process into the Sistine Chapel, where they take an oath of secrecy.
Once inside, the doors are sealed, and the cardinals remain in total isolation until a new pope is chosen.
2. The Voting Process
The cardinals cast four votes per day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—until a candidate receives at least two-thirds of the votes. Each round follows these steps:
- Each cardinal writes a name on a ballot and places it in a chalice.
- The ballots are counted by three designated cardinals.
- If no candidate receives the required votes, the ballots are burned with chemicals to produce black smoke, signaling to the public that no pope has been elected.
Once a candidate secures a two-thirds majority, he is asked if he accepts the position. If he says yes:
- He chooses a papal name.
- He is dressed in papal vestments.
- The ballots from the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke, signaling the election of the new pope.
Shortly after, the newly elected pope steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the Habemus Papam (“We have a Pope”) announcement is made.
Who Could Be the Next Pope?
While there is no official successor, some prominent cardinals often speculated to be in line for the papacy include:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Vatican Secretary of State)
- Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana, former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace)
- Cardinal Luis Tagle (Philippines, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples)
Other potential candidates include Cardinals Matteo Zuppi, Gerhard Müller, Angelo Scola, Raymond Burke, and Robert Sarah.
Pope Francis: The Current Pope
His Papacy
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the 266th pope of the Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He is the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope in history.
His Impact on the Church
Since his election, Pope Francis has been known for:
- Modernizing the Church: He has focused on inclusivity, social justice, and addressing climate change.
- A Humble Approach: He chose not to live in the Apostolic Palace, instead residing in a modest guesthouse.
- Reforms: He has pushed for transparency in Vatican finances and greater accountability regarding sexual abuse scandals.
Conclusion
The process of selecting a pope is deeply rooted in history, faith, and secrecy. As Pope Francis continues to lead the Church, speculation grows over who will be his successor. When the time comes, the College of Cardinals will gather once again in the Sistine Chapel, and the world will wait for the white smoke to rise, signaling the dawn of a new papacy.
