How is the next Pope chosen and what is the secret conclave? | BBC News

Vatican Events Following Pope Francis's Death: A Detailed Overview

Key Concepts:

• Lying in State
• Papal Funeral
• Basilica de Santa Maria Maggiore
• Conclave
• Cardinal Electors
• Two-Thirds Majority
• Black Smoke vs. White Smoke

Timeline of Events

1. Wednesday (Tomorrow Morning):

   • 9:00 AM local time: Pope Francis's body will be transferred from the chapel of the residence of St. Mara to St. Peter's Basilica.
   • St. Peter's Basilica: The body will lie in state between Wednesday and Saturday, allowing the public to pay their respects. Large crowds are expected.

2. Saturday Morning:

   • 10:00 AM local time: The funeral will begin.
   • Heads of state and royalty from around the world are expected to attend, including Donald Trump and Melania, the presidents of France and Brazil, and potentially the president of Ukraine.

3. After the Funeral:

   • The coffin will be transferred to the Basilica de Santa Maria Maggiore, located on the other side of Rome. This is where Pope Francis requested to be buried, deviating from the tradition of papal burials within the Vatican.

Papal Funeral Details

• Streamlined Funeral: Pope Francis requested a simpler funeral compared to past papal funerals.
• Coffin: He wanted to be buried in a wooden and zinc coffin, simply marked with his name in Latin: "Franciscus."
• Humility: This reflects his humble beginnings and his papacy, marked by simplicity and a departure from ornate traditions. He shunned red papal shoes, wore scuffed black shoes, and lived in the Santa Marta guest house instead of the papal apartments.

The Conclave Process

• Nine Days of Mourning: The conclave takes place after nine days of official mourning.
• Secrecy: The conclave is a highly secretive process, as depicted in the Oscar-nominated movie.
• Seclusion: Cardinals are shut inside the Sistine Chapel, cut off from the outside world (no phones, TV, or connectivity).
• Cardinal Electors: Only cardinals under the age of 80 (138 of them) are eligible to vote.
• Voting:
  • First day: One vote.
  • Subsequent days: Two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon.
  • Two-Thirds Majority: A two-thirds majority is initially required for a cardinal to be named pope.
  • 50% Plus One: If no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority after 15 days, the requirement changes to a 50% plus one vote.
• Smoke Signals:
  • Black Smoke: If no conclusive winner emerges after a vote, a special chemical is added to the burning ballot papers to produce black smoke.
  • White Smoke: When a cardinal is chosen as the next pope (the 267th successor to St. Peter), a chemical is added to produce white smoke.
• Announcement: The white smoke signals to the hundreds of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square and central Rome that a new pope has been elected.

Conclusion

The coming days will be marked by mourning, public viewing, and a funeral for Pope Francis, followed by the highly secretive conclave process to elect his successor. The streamlined funeral and burial location reflect Pope Francis's commitment to humility and simplicity. The conclave, with its strict rules and reliance on smoke signals, remains a fascinating and closely watched event around the world.