After the announcement of the death of Pope Francis and the funerals, one of the most grandiose moments of the Vatican liturgy will arrive: the election of the new successor of Saint Peter, who will lead the Catholic Church and guide 1.406 billion faithful worldwide. For the Conclave to be convened, held in the Sistine Chapel, under the frescoes of Michelangelo, at least 15 days must pass since the death of the Pontiff so that all elector cardinals have time to arrive in Rome, as indicated in the Universi Dominici Gregis in its chapter 37, the Apostolic Constitution published by John Paul II in 1996.
Although the text also states that the College of Cardinals may decide to bring forward this date if all elector cardinals are already in the Vatican, or extend it by five more days if something serious happens: "After a maximum of 20 days from the beginning of the vacant see, all present elector cardinals are obliged to proceed with the election," it establishes.
The rules for the election of the Pope, which have undergone slight variations over the centuries, are marked by provisions from the late 13th century, as explained by Ángel Pazos, associate professor at the Rey Juan Carlos University and tutor at the UNED, an expert in rituals of the Middle Ages. "They establish in a general way what should happen: that the cardinals are the only electors of the Pope and gather in the Vatican for his election behind closed doors ("cum clave", with a key)."
As they arrive in Rome, the cardinals meet every day in general congregations to discuss ecclesiastical matters and present the characteristics that, in their opinion, the new Pope should have. Cardinals over 80 years old can attend these general congregations, but they are not allowed to enter the Conclave, as only those under this age can do so. Much of the debate takes place in these preliminary meetings, reports Ap. Any of them can become pontiff, and technically, any Catholic man, something that has never happened.
Until the two conclaves of 1978 that elected John Paul I and John Paul II, the cardinals stayed in improvised rooms around the Sistine Chapel. Since the Conclave of 2005, in which Pope Benedict XVI was elected, they vote in the Sistine Chapel but stay at the Santa Marta guesthouse, with around 130 rooms, where Francis resided until his death. Santa Marta is cordoned off, and the cardinals are transported by bus to the Sistine Chapel. Before the start of the Conclave, a mass is celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica and a second one in the Sistine Chapel.
During those days, they are isolated and prohibited from all communication with the outside world. Phones, internet, and newspapers are not allowed, and the Vatican police use security electronic devices to ensure compliance.
Except for the first day of the Conclave, when there is a single vote, the cardinals vote twice a day. They are given rectangular ballots with the phrase "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" and a space to write a name, usually disguising the spelling. The vote is secret, and there is a risk of excommunication if the electors do not comply with the rule. Each cardinal must fold the ballot twice, approach the altar, and recite an oath in Latin before depositing the vote in the urn.
For the election, a two-thirds majority plus one is needed. If after 13 days no one has been elected, a runoff between the two most voted candidates is held, but a two-thirds majority plus one is still required. This is done to promote unity and discourage the search for compromise candidates.
When the Conclave has elected a Pope, he is asked if he accepts his canonical election as the Supreme Pontiff in Latin and what name he wishes to take. If he rejects it, the procedure starts over. The new Pope puts on the white garments in the Room of Tears, adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, prepared in three sizes, and sits on a throne to receive the other cardinals, who pay homage to him and promise obedience.
The world will know that a Pope has been elected when an official burns the ballots with special chemicals so that white smoke comes out of the chimney of the chapel (Fumata Bianca), a practice instituted in 1914. Black smoke indicates that there is no conclusive vote.
The main elector among the cardinal deacons, currently the French cardinal Dominique Mamberti, will step out onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to announce to the crowd in the square "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope). Right after, the new Pope will appear on the same balcony and address the faithful to impart the blessing Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world).