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Faith

The Catholic Church Will Take These Secretive and Intricate Steps to Choose a New Pope

Feb. 11, 2013 11:30am Billy Hallowell

By now, you’re probably aware of the fact that, effective Feb. 28, Pope Benedict XVI will be leaving his post as the head of the Catholic Church. You’ve probably also heard that something called a “conclave” is planned before the end of March. Considering the complex process of electing a new pope — and taking into account the historic nature of Benedict’s resignation (he’s the first pope to willingly step down in 600 years) — TheBlaze has put together a brief description of this conclave and the process that is set to unfold.

Selecting a new pope is a secretive, complex and traditional undertaking; the historical roots date back to the church’s founding. Over the past 100 years, papal elections have been held in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals gather to choose a new leader. According to the rules, the conclave of cardinals must converge 15 to 20 days after Benedict’s resignation date.

Once assembled, these men are entirely cut off from the Internet, telephones, television and other modes of communication, as they weigh the odds and make the ever-important decision surrounding who will be next in line to lead the Catholic Church (the next pope will be the church’s 266th leader).

The cardinals sleep and eat inside the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Saint Martha’s House), where they each have their own bedroom, complete with a bathroom. The process is entirely closed to those beyond the men in attendance, with each cardinal taking an oath of secrecy. Despite the closely-guarded process, around 70 others are allowed inside the compound, including doctors, cooks and others who tend to the needs of these religious men.

The voting process is a fascinating one, as those eligible to cast ballots are cardinals under the age of 80 at the time of a pope’s death (no more than 120 cardinals may vote). But because Benedict did not pass away, there are some questions surrounding whether he will be involved in the selection of a replacement. While Benedict isn’t a cardinal, he’s 85-years-old and exceeds the age requirement that cardinals are held to. However, the historic nature of his decision to step down leaves many questions surrounding how, if at all, he will be included.

Heres Everything You Need to Know About the Conclave and the Process of Selecting a New Pope | Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict XVI (L) stands near the relic of Pope Celestine V after covering it with a stole during his papal visit at St Maria of Collemaggio church collapsed on April 6 after the earthquake in L’Aquila, on April 28, 2009. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

While at Saint Martha’s House, the cardinals cast secret votes each day — two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The men write their selections on a rectangular card and submit them for consideration. In order for one of the nominees to be selected as pope, he must get two-thirds of the votes.

Smoke signals are released above the Sistine Chapel to inform the public about whether a pope has been elected each day. If a new leader is chosen, the smoke is white; if not, black smoke is released. Bells are also rung in the event of a pope’s selection in an effort to avoid potential confusion over the color of smoke being emitted.

Encyclopedia Britannica provides more details about this indicate process:

The cardinals vote by secret ballot in the Sistine Chapel (also a part of the Vatican palace) until a candidate is selected. One ballot is held on the first day of the conclave and four on each subsequent day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Immediately after the count, the ballots and all related notes are burned in a stove in the chapel, and the colour of the smoke passing from a pipe through the roof enables the crowd assembled in St. Peter’s Square to know how the voting has gone: when no candidate receives the required majority, the smoke is black; if a new pope has been elected, the smoke is white. Wet and dry straw were originally mixed with the ballots to produce the black or white smoke, but today chemicals are used to ensure the right colour. Still, even with the additives and depending on weather conditions, the smoke’s colour can be difficult to discern. One of the most notorious examples of this difficulty, occurring after the election of John Paul II in 1978, inspired a further reform in the process: in 2005 the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica were rung to confirm for the first time that the smoke was white and that a new pope had been elected.

Pope Benedict XVI waves at the faithful as he leaves Saint Lawrence in Piscibus church after celebrating a mass at the International Youth Centre in Rome March 9, 2008. Celebrating the Angelus Sunday prayer later from his balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square, the pontiff called on Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate for peace, condemning a surge of violence in the region as part of a ‘spiral of destruction’. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

As far as the nominees go, technically any Catholic male who is baptized and not married is eligible to be pope. However, traditionally (over the past 1,000 years) a cardinal is chosen. In fact, this has been the pattern followed since 1378.

Once a new pope is selected, the Associated Press notes that he will be introduced from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The words “Habemus Papam!” are uttered (“We have a pope!” in Latin) and the new leader gives his first blessing.

For more about this fascinating history and process, visit Encyclopedia Britannica.

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Comments (49)

by faith
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:00pm
“As far as the nominees go, technically any Catholic male who is baptized and not married is eligible to be pope. However, traditionally (over the past 1,000 years) a cardinal is chosen. In fact, this has been the pattern followed since 1378.”

2013-1000 would be 1,013
Which is it?
Over 1,000 years or 635 years?

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LindaMC
Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:54am
Whomever it is, they will be arrested as well as Ratzinger.
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- MyAgendaIsTruth
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:12pm
  Keep wishing Catholic hatemonger. It will never happen. I bet you are one of the fringe of society that just hates to be held to any standards. I bet you belong to the NOH8 crowed.
  
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- MyAgendaIsTruth
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:15pm
  The 1929 Lateran Pacts between Italy and the Holy See, which established Vatican City as a sovereign state, said Vatican City would be “invariably and in every event considered as neutral and inviolable territory”.
  
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Bam24
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:00pm
Billy, this pope will not partake in the next conclave. There’s no doubt or questions surrounding this issue.

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NogodNojesus
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 12:14am
I wonder if the secretive and intricate steps of the Catholic church is like the secretive and intricate steps that the Mormons use in their rituals.

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floydhowardjr
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:55pm
Regrettably, the new Pope may be the defector from the faith meaning JESUS will be here soon…

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BannedByHuffpo
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:52pm
With new environmental pollution mandates in Rome, don’t be looking for white smoke from the Vatican.

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- lthm
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:08am
  Those restrictions shouldn’t apply to Vatican City, since it is an independent state.
  
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LOJ
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:45pm
This may be one of the important events in history, when you see the volatility of the world, and the spirit of the anti-christ is everywhere.

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BehindTheMouth
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 3:44pm
Obama will probably want to assign one himself

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RabbiDRJerkins
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 3:27pm
Shalom,
I just hope he manges to negotiate a better retirement plan than the last one.

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KalanVA
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 3:23pm
“Faith activates God – Fear activates the Enemy.” JO

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pap pap
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 2:53pm
It will be interesting to once again see history being made.

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Worriedboomer
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 1:53pm
It’s interesting to me that the Pope inspires such vitriol and hatred. Theoretically, unless you’re a Catholic he really has no impact on your life. But the devil or Satan, or whatever you wish to call him is very much alive and active in today’s world. It is his energy and spirit which motivates so many people today and he is behind the anger exhibited in reaction to nothing more than the fact that the Pope is resigning. I encourage those who are not motivated by this hatred to avoid responding in kind to Satan. Let’s discourage him by a Godly example of love and forgiveness.

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- Commander8080
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 2:41pm
  I agree
  
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- theotherberean
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 3:19pm
  There are some who feel the many practices of the RCC are steeped with pagan imagery. Surely that accounts for some of it.
  
  Report this comment
- mikemackin
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 3:59pm
  Name one of our unscriptural traditions friend.
  
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- Greenwood
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:47pm
  @MIKEMCKIN……….infant baptism, the Trinity, hell fire, the immortal soul, celebrating Christmas, Easter, praying to Mary and Saints calling a priest Father just to name a few.
  
  Matthew 23:9 Moreover, do not call anyone your Father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One.
  
  Report this comment
- Greenwood
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:55pm
  @MIKEMACKIN……..”Name one of our unscriptural traditions friend.”
  
  What do you call your priest? or the Pope Holy what?
  
  Matthew 23: 9 Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One.
  
  Report this comment
- aragonsr
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 12:36am
  Infant Baptism-Jn. 3:5, Mk 16:16, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, 1 Cor 1:16 (Whole household would probably include infants). St. Hippolytus of Rome (215 A.D.) “Baptize first the children; and if they can speak for themselves, let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them.”
  
  Trinity-Mt. 28:19
  
  Hell Fire-Is 33:11, 14, Mt 25:41, Mt 25:46, Lk 3:16-17, 2 Thess 1:6-9, Mt. 18:9
  
  Christmas and Easter-These are just days of celebration that were once pagan (offering sacrifice to foreign gods on that particular day), but after the conversion/evangelization of the pagans, that celebration was Christianized and turned from a pagan celebration, to a Christian one. This is a technique used to evangelize groups of people so that they may keep their customs, but change the meaning behind the custom. Celebrations are neither evil or good, but it’s what you attribute to them that defines what they are. No one celebrates Christmas or Easter for the intention of worshiping foreign gods anymore, thus the original pagan meaning has been lost.
  
  Praying to Mary and saints-Rev. 5:8, Rom 15:30, 2 Th 1:11, Mk 12:26-27, Mk 9:4, Lk 23:43, Rev 6:9-11, Heb 12:1, Lk 16:19-30, Rev 20:4, Wis 3:1-6, 1 Tim 2:1-7, 1 Pet 2:5, Mk 10:18, Mt 25:23, Jn 10:11-16, Jos 5:14, Dan 8:17, Tob 12:16, Mt. 18:10, 1 Jn 3:2. Rev 11:19-12:1, Lk 1:30
  
  Priest father-Mt. 19:19, Mt. 3:9, Acts 7:2, Acts 21:40, 22:1, Rom 4:16-17, 1 Cor 4:14-15, Heb 12:7-9, 1 Thess 2:11, Philem 10, 1 Jn 2:13-1
  
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- Greenwood
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 8:26pm
  @ARAGONSR…………….This is a technique used to evangelize groups of people so that they may keep their customs
  Jesus said you must worship with “Spirit and Truth”
  2 Corinthians 6:14- 18 Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelivers…………….
  Why do you think Jerusalem fell in Jeremiah’s day to the Babylonians in 607 BCE because they mixed with the customs and false worship of the surrounding nations.
  King Solomon made that mistake at the end of his life when he built temples to the false gods of his multitude of wives.
  
  Matthew 28:19 How do you get Trinity out of that? It does say make disciples [first] How do you make a disciple of an infant? When you are baptized it’s public declaration of faith, not some magic ritual.
  John 17 :20-23 Is everyone here all part of the Trinity too?
  Flee from idolatry and sharers with demons (1 Corinthians10:14-21 )
  
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CWPrequired
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 1:35pm
Better show some diversity and choose a gay non-believer so the universities and leftist won’t feel discriminated against.

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fedlibertarian
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 1:21pm
They already have a black pope. He runs the Jesuits. Where do they come in?

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Pokerjoe
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 1:01pm
God bless them all.

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- sillyfreshness
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 1:14pm
  The next pope is supposed to be the last one according to Saint Malachy.
  
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vaman
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:57pm
The evangelical radical, as a standard, does not like catholics at all. Since the catholic is not born again, the evangelical radical feels the catholic is hell bound. Little does the evangenlical radical realize, that if there is a hell, he will be first in line for entrance.

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Mr. H.
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:48pm
There is nothing in current popular culture that will influence the selection of the next Pope. 120 Christian men who have devoted their lives to serving God will decide who will be the best among them to lead The Church through the coming years. They will do so completely isolated and insulated from world events, until the selection is made. In the mean time, I suggest you read the biographies of Pope John Paul II.

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Micmac
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:40pm
@ willingtoupe

Do blacks only drink chocolate milk?

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Mapache
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:23pm
The pope’s announcement has certainly brought the anti-Catholic bigots out in droves. It is pretty sad and pitiful. Most of the bitter posts remind me why I am and will remain a Catholic. God Bless you all or in the words of St. Paul, “May God reward you as you deserve.”

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- hi
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:40pm
  “May God reward you as you deserve.”
  Actually we are all sinners and deserve hell. But, because we believe in Christ, we are as pure as snow and deserve heaven.
  That is the major difference “do” vs “done.” We are going to heaven because of God’s Grace and has nothing to do with our piddly works.
  My kids are in Catholic school. They learned in religion that Hitler and the KKK are protestants! While people may claim to be CHristian, it doesn’t mean they are just like Westboro and Obama. The teacher did not clarify that. It was taught as fact.
  
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- Greenwood
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:31pm
  @HI…..” We are going to heaven because of God’s Grace and has nothing to do with our piddly works.
  
  James 2:26 Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
  
  Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works.
  
  James 2:14 – 26 Of what benefit is it, my brother, if a certain one sayshe has faith but he does not have works ? That faith cannot save him, can it ?
  21. Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he ha offered up Isaac his son upon the alter? 22. You behold that his faith worked along with his works and by his works his faith was perfected, …………………………….
  
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- conservative_dan
  Posted on February 16, 2013 at 8:34pm
  Works are the fruits of the faith, that is, the visible proof of faith. But in and of themselves, works are worthless. They don’t contribute to salvation, they are proof of it.
  
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Nick_Reyes
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:00pm
Read Revelation 13 through 18 and see for your selves. Nick_Reyes

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chucksue351
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:53am
paganism is alive and well in the catholic church, repent

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booklvr777
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:46am
Not sure I “believe” in the St. Malachy prophecies, but it’s interesting if nothing else.

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willingtoupe
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:44am
So technically any Catholic male can become Pope. So why does skin color matter? There’s even black Cardinals to select from. What wrong with picking a black one? It’s been a thousand years. But the child molesting, mafia style, racist Vatican won’t make it so. Plus, common Catholics can’t see themselves crying for, bowing down to, and kissing the ring on the hand of the black Pope. Very Spiritual.

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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:56am
  So how does it feel to be working for DHS and the destruction of America????
  
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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:01pm
  So how’s the new job working out for you commie? You like making minimum wage?http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2013/02/obamas-homeland-security-forms-cyber-army.html
  
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- BlackCrow
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:02pm
  Some people just can’t see past their own skin. I’m sick and tired of hearing this intellectually hollow argument applied to everything from the price of milk or the selection of a pope. Nobody is forcing you to be Catholic or buy milk. GET OVER IT!!!!
  
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- joboww
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 1:45pm
  Just wanted to let you know there have indeed been African Popes in the past, last being 1500 years ago before militant islam swept across Africa. I personally do not care about the skin color of the Pope, one of the greatest cardinals (Cardinal Arinze) is over 80 so cant be selected, but I would have loved to see him reigning as Peter
  
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- BehindTheMouth
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 3:40pm
  Always the race card with your type
  
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- conservative_dan
  Posted on February 16, 2013 at 8:39pm
  Kissing the ring of a black Pope is infinitely better than having to kiss the black ass of 0!
  
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civilwarcometh
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:43am
The next pope will be Peter the Roman…..

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- conservativeblackman
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:23pm
  Agreed. And I believe it will be Monsignor Georg Gänswein.
  
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- conservativeblackman
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:26pm
  Agreed. And I believe it will be Monsignor Georg Gänswein
  
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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:36pm
  This guy???http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2012/12/georg-maestro-della-casa-b16-taps.html
  
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- walkintruth
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 1:32pm
  I agree. I just didn’t think it would be this soon. He will be the anti-pope that reigns in Armageddon.
  
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Nick_Reyes
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:43am
What country will the next Pope come from will he help bring peace to the world or more of the same turmoil and global wars among nations and continued decline of the christian world and the US Dollar and Gold will all lose value. This next Pope may be the last one for All Man kind. Does any one remember that saying. Have a Blessed month in Thought. Nick_Reyes

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