In recent days, many have asked: “Who do you think the next pope will be?” And, how is the new pope elected? To the first question, only God knows!
To the latter question, the responsibility of electing the new pope is in the hands of the College of Cardinals, whose members are 80 years old or under; currently that number is 134. Cardinal Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, normally would convene and direct the conclave, however, he is 91 and over the age limit. Therefore, his vice-dean, Cardinal Sandri, would lead the conclave; yet he, too, is over the age limit. Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, will convene it.
The conclave begins on Wednesday, May 7th, with the Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. That afternoon, the cardinal electors enter the Sistine Chapel while chanting the “Veni Creator Spiritus,” invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Once inside, they take an oath to observe the procedures, maintain secrecy, and vote freely for the one most worthy. When the last of the cardinals has taken the oath, the order is given -“Extra omnes” (“Everyone out”), then those not taking part in the conclave must leave and the chapel doors are locked until a pope is chosen. Inside the chapel, votes are taken once on the first afternoon, and then if needed twice each morning and afternoon session of the conclave. The ballots state “Eligo in summum pontificem” (“I elect as supreme pontiff”), with a space to write a name. During the vote, cardinals approach Michelangelo’s painting of the Last Judgment, profess an oath in Latin, translated as “I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected” and then they cast their ballot.
Three cardinals, scrutineers, tabulate the results in front of the assembly. Another three cardinals, revisers, ensure the tabulation was done correctly. Three additional cardinals, infirmarii, assist any cardinals who, although within the enclosure, are too sick to be in the Sistine Chapel. The infirmarii take a locked box, receive the votes of the infirmed, then return it to the scrutineers.
To be elected, one needs, two-thirds of the votes, which in this conclave totals 90 votes. When a voting session concludes without reaching the required majority, the ballots are burned with wet straw, which emits black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. If a pope is elected, the ballots are burned with a chemical agent, producing the famous white smoke. The one chosen is asked: “Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?” Once he accepts, he becomes bishop of Rome and the pope. The conclave is officially over. He is then asked: “By what name do you wish to be called?” Then we hear those famous words: “Habemus papam!” (“We have a pope!”). The newly elected pope then offers his Apostolic Blessing, “Urbi et Orbi” on the city and the world.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne