How does the Catholic Church appoint a new pope? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Conclave: The secret meeting of cardinal electors to elect a new Pope.
• Cardinal Electors: Cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote in the conclave (135 mentioned).
• Sistine Chapel: The location where the papal conclave takes place.
• Black Smoke / White Smoke: Signals used during the conclave; black indicates an unsuccessful vote, white indicates a new Pope has been elected.
• Habemus Papam: Latin phrase meaning "We have a Pope," announced after a successful election.
• Papabili: Italian term for cardinals considered potential candidates for the papacy.
• Traditionalists vs. Continuity: The main division among cardinals regarding the future direction of the Church, contrasting those wanting a return to older forms versus those supporting Pope Francis's approach.
• Peter's Pence: A fund based on voluntary contributions from Catholics worldwide to support the Vatican.
• Church Tax: A tax paid by registered Catholics in some countries (e.g., Germany) for Church membership.

The Conclave: Process and Timing

Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the process to elect the next Pope, known as the conclave, is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 7th. This date was chosen over the potential start date of May 6th, possibly to allow cardinals an extra day for reflection following a public holiday.

• Participants: 135 cardinal electors will participate.
• Location: The Sistine Chapel, which has been closed to tourists and swept for listening devices in preparation.
• Secrecy: The conclave is highly secretive. Cardinals are not permitted to leave except for meals and sleep.
• Voting Procedure:
  1. Cardinals meet on the morning of May 7th and begin voting that afternoon.
  2. Four votes are held per day.
  3. Voting continues until a candidate achieves a 75% majority.
  4. Unsuccessful voting rounds are signaled by black smoke from a special chimney.
  5. A successful election is signaled by white smoke.
  6. The announcement "Habemus Papam" follows the white smoke.
• Expected Duration: Journalist David Willie anticipates a decision within 2-3 days of the conclave's start.

Internal Dynamics: Divisions and Discussions

Significant divisions exist within the College of Cardinals, primarily between those favouring continuity with the late Pope Francis's policies and those advocating for a return to a more traditional form of Catholicism.

• Continuity Faction: Likely holds the majority, as many electors were appointed by Pope Francis. They favour continuing his open, human approach, focusing less on "heavy and difficult to read theological documents."
• Traditionalist Faction: Led by a "small group of American cardinals," they have been openly critical of Pope Francis's policies. David Willie suggests they "are perhaps less powerful than they think they are."
• Discussions: Important discussions occur in secret, particularly during daily meetings (9 am - 1 pm) in a purpose-built audience hall where each cardinal can present their views on future papal policies. While acknowledging the possibility of "deals in dark corners," the formal discussions are structured.

Geographical Considerations

The geographical origin of the next Pope is a significant point of discussion.

• Historical Norm: Popes have predominantly been Italian or European.
• Recent Shift: Pope Francis was the first Pope from Latin America, breaking tradition.
• Future Possibilities: Cardinals are openly discussing the potential election of the first-ever Pope from Asia or Africa. Whether a majority supports this remains uncertain.

Key Challenges Facing the Next Pope

The cardinals are discussing numerous pressing issues the next Pope will need to address:

• Church Stance on Homosexuals: Defining the Church's approach and pastoral care.
• Pedophile Priest Abuse Crisis: Addressing the global scale of abuse (acknowledged beyond just the US, including Latin America, France, Italy) and the "massive coverups" that occurred.
• Church Finances: Declining contributions to the Peter's Pence fund and reduced income from sources like the German church tax.
• Declining Membership: Significant numbers of Catholics are leaving the Church, particularly in traditionally Catholic countries like Germany, often ceasing payment of the church tax required for membership.

Potential Candidates (Papabili)

While predictions are difficult, certain names are being discussed:

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin: The late Pope's Secretary of State. Regarded as experienced and a "steady hand" in policy matters, but potentially lacking charisma.
• Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle: From the Philippines ("a most very aimately Catholic nation"). Notably speaks seven languages, highlighting the growing importance of communication skills.
• Selection Dynamic: The process might favour the "least unpopular" candidate rather than the initially most popular one, given the multiple voting rounds.

The Role of Language and Communication

The ability of the next Pope to communicate effectively, particularly in English, is seen as increasingly vital.

• Global Reach: English is crucial for reaching worldwide television audiences.
• Past Popes' English: Pope Francis spoke poor English, Pope Benedict XVI had fairly good but imperfect English, and Pope John Paul II spoke almost none.
• Vatican Mindset: There's a potential shift away from the historical assumption that Italian is sufficient for papal communication. David Willie notes, "...it's very useful to be able to give your message in the English language."

Synthesis/Conclusion

The upcoming papal conclave, starting May 7th, involves 135 cardinal electors in a secret voting process within the Sistine Chapel aiming for a 75% majority. Key dynamics include a likely majority favouring continuity with Pope Francis's approach versus a vocal traditionalist minority, and serious consideration of candidates from outside Europe, potentially Asia or Africa. The next Pope faces significant challenges, including the ongoing abuse crisis, financial pressures from declining donations and membership (like in Germany), and defining the Church's stance on social issues. Potential candidates like Cardinals Parolin and Tagle represent different strengths, with multilingualism, especially proficiency in English, emerging as a key attribute for modern papal communication. While the outcome is uncertain, the discussions highlight a Church grappling with internal divisions and external pressures, seeking leadership for a complex future.