Pope John Paul II
The pope is elected by a college of cardinals that meet in the Vatican behind closed doors. The assembly for choosing a new pontiff is called a conclave. After the pope’s death, all cardinals in the world under the age of 80 must travel to Rome. Today there are 135 “voters” in this situation, six of them Brazilian. But the selection process was not always so strict (and peaceful). It was Pope Nicolas II who instituted, in 1509, a decree making participation in the vote exclusive to cardinals. Before that, it was the clergy and the people who appointed the highest representative of the Catholic Church and elections used to be much more troubled.
When the new pontiff is elected, he is given a special name to honor a tradition that began with the first leader of the Catholic Church. According to Christian historiography, Jesus changed the name of the fisherman Simon, one of his apostles, when he chose him to be his representative on earth, saying the following: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”. Simon became Saint Peter and since then each elected pope has indicated the name that pleases him. “The choice of name is also a surprise for us cardinals,” says Brazilian Cardinal Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns, who participated in the conclaves that elected Popes John Paul I and John Paul II in 1978.
READ TOO:
– What does the “prophecy of the popes” say?
– Why can’t priests marry?
– How and when did the first pope appear?
– Is it true that the Vatican has several secret riches?
2. The conclave begins 18 days after the pope’s death, the time needed for cardinals from all over the world to arrive in Rome. They meet in a building next to Saint Peter’s Basilica and receive a book containing part of the life and work of each of the cardinals present at the conclave — all candidates to be the new pope
3. The election is in the Sistine Chapel, famous for the paintings of the brilliant Michelangelo (1475-1564). Each cardinal indicates the colleague he wants as pope and puts the (secret) vote in a chalice. It is difficult for a name to receive the necessary indications immediately: two thirds plus one vote. Therefore, there are several votes, twice a day, until strong candidates emerge who manage to attract more and more support.
4. At the end of each round, the votes are counted and burned. If no cardinal reaches two-thirds, the votes are burned with a chemical that generates black smoke that comes out of the chapel. If the vote indicated a new pope, the votes are burned with a product that turns the smoke white.
5. When a cardinal gets two-thirds plus one of the votes (or a simple majority after 30 ballots), the camerlegno asks the victor if he accepts to be pope and what name he wants to use. Afterwards, the camerlengo goes to the preaching desk in St. Peter’s Basilica and says the famous phrase: Habemus papam, that is, «we have a pope»