Conclave: Electing a New Pope

Upon the death of the Pope, a monumental sequence of events unfolds, culminating in a process known as the conclave whereby a new Pope is elected to lead the Roman Catholic faith.

Beneath Michelangelo's revered ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, the College of Cardinals, led by the Cardinal Camerlegno (Cardinal Chamberlain), Eduardo Martinez Somalo, begins the arduous process of selecting the pope's successor. The Cardinalate currently consists of 117 cardinals from all over the world. In the conclave, an event enduring little change since the thirteenth century, the cardinals take an oath of secrecy, that if broken renders the offender automatically excommunicated from the church. There are no televisions, radios, or newspapers allowed inside the conclave.

The Cardinal Electors, almost all of whom were appointed by Pope John Paul II, will vote in a very thorough process of secret balloting where a two-thirds majority is needed to elect a new Pope. The College may vote up to four times a day, but if a new Pope has not been chosen by the third day, then the cardinals cease the voting process for a day of prayer and reflection. Following the day of prayer, the cardinals will commence for another seven votes, then another day of prayer. If after 12 days a pope has still not been elected, then the two-thirds majority vote is negated and a vote by simple majority is instated.

The first indication to the outside world that a new pope has been elected is the telling smoke signals. After each voting session a smoke signal is given by burning the ballots. If the voting session is inconclusive, straw is added to the burning ballots to produce black smoke. Conversely, white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen.

In the past the College usually elects a cardinal that has been under consideration for some time. The two requirements for eligibility for the papacy are that the candidates must be a man and Catholic. Although any Catholic male is technically eligible, history shows that the candidates are always cardinals.

What is new in this upcoming papal election is the doctrine of Vatican II, which no longer requires cardinals to study Latin. Therefore, the issue of a language barrier is a potential problem that the College may face, since many of the cardinals for the first time in history, will not share a common language.

Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978 and has since been revered by Catholics as well as other Christian denominations, Jews, and Muslims for being a "Pope for the people." More than any of his predecessors, Pope John Paul II traveled the world, visiting and praying with the people of the area. Many attribute the restoration of the Catholic Church to Pope John Paul II. Much speculation has occurred regarding the Pope's successor. The outcome of the conclave is widely anticipated and only when we hear the Latin phrase "Habemus Papam" come from the dean of the cardinals will the world know who the next Pope will be.

Amanda Milewski is a contributing writer for the Pope Blog - Conclave Edition

http://thepopeblog.blogspot.com

---

The United States of Europe is a Joke!

French & Dutch Reject EU Constitution & British Table It-We... Read More

What is God? Does Proof Exist?

Apology:I don't for a minute profess to know what God... Read More

Terror; The Lost War

Zephaniah 1:14-1:18{Terror; Intense, overpowering fear.An emotion experienced in anticipation of... Read More

Imagine

Some people imagine what glory will behold them at the... Read More

Gods Breathed

For it is written in the book of 2Timothy 3:16... Read More

Judgement Day

For it is written in Matthew 12:36 But I tell... Read More

Reading the Bible

A friend of mine had asked my thoughts on how... Read More

Recognizing Apostasy and Deception

PREFACE TO UNDERSTANDING APOSTASY AND DECEPTIONIn the "last days" the... Read More

Here?s Help for the ?I Can?t Say ?No? Blues?

I hear it all the time. Cries from Christian women... Read More

Hope and Restoration in the Valley

The bible tells a story about the prophet Ezekiel who... Read More

End of the World | Predictions Prophecies How and When

It's the End of the World as we know it...When... Read More

Planetary Alignment

Planetary Alignment is said to have magical powers. Some believe... Read More

Worship and Praise in Charismatic Churches

This article was in response to an email about someone... Read More

Computerized Christians? Get Ready for the New Church!

Isaiah 43;19 declares: "Behold, I will do a new thing,... Read More

Amos and Social Justice - Part 1

Amos was a shepherd who lived in the region of... Read More

About The Spiritual World of Madonna

Pop singer Madonna came this week to Tel Aviv to... Read More

Spiritual Healing: Jesus Christ in the Flesh

Does Jesus Christ live in heaven today in the flesh... Read More

Money And Religion: How Christians Are Being Misled

Today's Christian Evangelists, Teachers, and Preachers Are Grossly Misleading America... Read More

Does God Promise Long Life?

Over the last 10 years or so I have met... Read More

The Women Issue

The following message entitled THE WOMAN ISSUE is a study... Read More

Women as Catholic Priests: The Time for Change is Now

In ancient Rome, the cradle of democracy, women had no... Read More

Is Buddhism A Religion?

Buddhism is a teaching which has spread worldwide absorbing the... Read More

Is It Good For Man Not To Marry?

Are we doing what the word of God say to... Read More

God is God

God is God and besides Him, there is no other.... Read More

Whose Land?

It is interesting that everyone is so hung-up on the... Read More

The Dark Side of The Pope

If you look at just the man/women after he/she has... Read More

Slain in the Spirit?

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?A Catholic woman reported to me that a... Read More

The Wealth of the Wealthy

Some may ask, why can't I have a lot of... Read More

Why The Devil Is He Out To Get You?

The devil's agenda for tricking Adam and Eve into eating... Read More

The Use and Abuse of Mysticism in The Song of Songs

The incorporation of Aristotelian thought into the dogma of Catholicism... Read More

Growing in the Knowledge of God

This first verse completely sets the stage for you to... Read More

What They Mean By Child-Like Faith

Prv:18:2 A Fool Receiveth Not The Words Of Prudence: Unless... Read More

Catholic Voters Need to Rethink Morality

If Catholic doctrine calls for the sanctity of all human... Read More