Only cardinals under 80 are entitled to participate in the vote, which occurs secretly, using paper banknotes
After the death of the, who died at age 88, he prepares for the conclave who will choose his new leader. The word conclave comes from Latin “with the key”Which means key closed and refers to confining cardinals to allow them to choose a new Pope without external interference. Only cardinals under 80 are entitled to participate in the vote, which occurs secretly, using paper banknotes. For a candidate to be elected, it is necessary to obtain two thirds of the votes of those present. Although any man christened and culibly can be chosen as a Pope, the last time than a cardinal He held the position was in 1378. The selection process is reserved and can extend for days or even weeks. However, the conclave should not start before 15 days, not after 20 days, after the Pope’s death – this means that in the case of Francisco’s death, it is expected to occur between May 6 and 11.
If there is no winner, banknotes are incinerated, and black smoke indicates that the vote is still underway. White smoke, on the other hand, announces the choice of the new Pope, which will be revealed by the Cardinal Protodiácono. Papal elections have their roots in the 13th century, when norms began to be established more formally. In the 20th century, the elections were free of external influences, ending a long period in which Catholic monarchs exerted the right to veto over the candidates. The next conclave will be marked by the influence of Cardinals appointed by Francisco, who sought to diversify the composition of the Cardinal College, increasing the representation of cardinals from Asia and Africa.
*Report produced with the aid of AI
Posted by Luisa Dos Santos
