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.