How Pope Francis’ Successor Will Be Chosen: Inside the Conclave

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Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the highest-ranking officials within the Catholic Church started making preparations to convene and choose his replacement.

The assembly, scheduled to begin this week after more than twenty years, is referred to as a "conclave."

Therefore, how does the conclave choose a new pope? Here’s what you should be aware of, even though the election procedure is highly confidential, and when to anticipate an announcement.

The conclave is set to begin on May 7 in Vatican City, a city-state situated within Rome, Italy, as reported. Thursday report from PBS.

The Vatican City serves as the main base of operations for the Roman Catholic Church, housing the cardinals—the second most influential clerics after the Pope—who convene in the Sistine Chapel to vote for a new pontiff.

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Despite the fact that there are now 252 cardinals within the Church, according to PBS, only those below the age of 80 qualify as voters. Among them, 135 cardinals are eligible to vote; however, two of these have already declared their absence due to health issues.

According to the apostolic constitution A new pope has to be elected through a two-thirds majority vote, with cardinals adhering to a precise timetable for their ballots. During the initial day of voting, cardinals can cast just one ballot in the later part of the day. For subsequent days, they have the option to submit up to two ballots each morning and another pair in the afternoon.

PBS notes that usually, a new pope is selected within two days. Should the election process continue past three rounds of voting, the cardinals take a break for prayer, discussions, and "a short spiritual address."

Following the celebration of a special Mass by the cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica, they will convene in their sealed-off conclave within the Sistine Chapel to start the voting process.

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