Thoughts on Our New Pope

Today I want to talk about the election of our new Pope, Pope Francis I. Being from a primarily Hispanic family and attending a Jesuit high school, I get a very exciting perspective of the election of our new Jesuit, Hispanic Pope. Two weeks ago we had a mass to celebrate the election of our new Pope, who was the first Jesuit Pope and from the Americas. The excitement in my school was ecstatic, especially when we got surprised with the day off. Once Pope Francis I accepted his papacy, he has seemed to primarily focus on poverty. Pope Francis I seems to be a very humble person and a very selfless person. The Pope has been living in the Papal hotel and not moved into the more plush and luxurious accommodations because of his selfless and humble person. Many people have been wondering why he has been living in such modest conditions and focusing on poverty and it is because he is a Jesuit and that is their mission: to devote their lives to people less fortunate than them. Having a Hispanic family I have seen extreme happiness and excitement as our new Pope is Hispanic and from the Americas. The excitement and support has been immense just like in our school. Overall, I think Pope Francis I will make an amazing Pope with his extremely humble and selfless person and with his jesuit background and mission to serve those less fortunate, I see him making many impressions for the good on the Church.

Inside the Papal Election Process

         Most people know that there was recently a new pope elected; however, most people do not have a full knowledge of how the pope is elected. Following the death or the rare occasion of the resignation of a Pope, the Cardinals meet in Rome to decide who will be the next Pope. One of the most important roles of Cardinals is to act as a papal elector. The election of the new pope is called a conclave. Cardinals first meet in St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate the mass. After, they go to the Sistine Chapel where the election takes place. Once the Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel and take an oath to observe the correct procedures, to defend the liberty of the Holy See, to maintain secrecy, and to disregard all outside influences the doors are closed and an absolute secrecy is maintained and the Cardinals may not speak with anyone outside the conclave until a new Pope is elected. Each Cardinal elector writes down the name of the person he thinks should be Pope and places his ballot in a container. The votes are carefully counted. If the number of ballots is not equal to the number of electors the ballots are burnt without being read and the process starts over. If the number corresponds to the number of electors, the votes are counted and announced. For a Pope to be elected, he must win two-thirds or more of the votes. If no one receives enough votes the ballots are burnt. If the smoke is white, then a Pope has been elected, if the smoke is black, then no one got the majority vote. If no one receives the required majority, and another vote will be taken. The process is repeated until their is a new Pope elected.