How the Catholic Church Chooses a New Pope

Who is the pope? The pope is the bishop of the diocese of Rome in Italy. He continues the leadership of Saint Peter. Together with all the bishops, he leads and guides the whole Catholic Church. The pope and bishops carry on the work of the Apostles, teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. Like the Apostles, they teach us, guide us, and help us to be holy.

What happens when the pope leaves his office? Besides the pope, cardinals are the highest officials in the Church. They are usually bishops who are appointed by the pope. When a pope dies or resigns, all of the cardinals from around the world who are under the age of 80 come to Rome for a special gathering called a conclave. This is a special election to choose a new pope.

How do the cardinals meet? First they pray! They celebrate Mass together and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then they come together to talk about and vote for the man who will become the next pope. During the conclave the cardinals meet in the beautiful Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican. No newspapers, cell phones, or television are permitted within the conclave. The cardinals stay in the Vatican and do not leave until a pope is elected.

How do the cardinals elect a new pope? Each cardinal submits a secret ballot. Two-thirds of the cardinals must choose the same person. If this doesn’t happen, they vote again. Each day during the conclave the cardinals vote up to four times. If they do not come to an agreement the ballots are burned with some damp straw that makes the smoke black. When the smoke comes out of the chimney, the people outside the Vatican know that a pope has not yet been elected. Once the election is final, the ballots are burned without the damp straw and white smoke comes out of the chimney. This signals that the Church has a new pope!

What happens next? Usually the new pope is selected from the group of cardinals. The dean, or head, of the cardinals asks the newly elected pope if he accepts. If the response is yes, the new pope is dressed in white robes and given the Fisherman’s ring. It is a symbol of Saint Peter, who was a fisherman and the first pope. The new pope then chooses a name. The cardinals make a promise to be faithful him and follow his leadership. He then comes out onto the balcony overlooking Saint Peter’s Square. His first blessing includes the Latin words “Urbi et Orbi”. This means “to the city”, referring to Rome, the pope’s diocese, and to the world.

What can I do to support the cardinals and the new pope? Choosing a new pope is an important task. Pray for the cardinals as they gather for the conclave. When the new pope is chosen, ask God to bless and guide him as he takes on his new role as the leader of the Catholic Church.

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