Electing the new Pope

Source: Vatican Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images

Pope Benedict’s unexpected resignation has set inmotion the centuries-old process of electing a newpope. All cardinals are summoned to Rome fora meeting at the Vatican which is followedby the Papal election, or Conclave

Balcony

GreatBell

Domus SanctaeMarthae: Lodgingsfor cardinals takingpart in conclave

During conclave, cardinalsreside within Vatican andare not permitted anycontact with outside world

Cardinals takeshort bus ride to

Sistine Chapelto vote

Saint Peter’sBasilica

St. Peter’sSquare

Having given hisconsent, new pope goes

to adjacent Room of Tears,where he changes into papal

vestments before receiving pledgesof obedience from fellow cardinals

Announcement made in Latin:“We have a Pope”. Newly-elected

pontiff delivers blessing frombalcony of St Peter’s Basilica

False floor:Jamming deviceshidden under floorprevent cell phonesfrom working

Screen, ortransenna

Sistine Chapel1492 Conclave first to be held here.

Site of all conclavessince 1878 Room of

Tears

Conclave

Voting proceedings

Count

Reaching a decision

Acceptance

Habemus Papam!

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Tarcisio Bertone: Cardinal Camerlengo,or Chamberlain, will supervisewhole electionprocess

Europe 61 (Italy 28)Latin America 19North America 14Asia/Oceania 12Africa 11

All cardinals under age of80 – currently 117 – are eligible to vote

Origin

Day One: Cardinals celebrate Massbefore walking in procession to Sistine Chapel

After entering chapel, Cardinals place handon Gospel and swear oath of secrecy underpenalty of excommunication

Latin command “Extra Omnes” instructs everyonenot taking part in election to leave – Sistine Chapelsealed by Camerlengo and first ballot begins

Under inscription “I elect asSupreme Pontiff” each cardinal-

elector writes name ofhis preferred papal

candidate onballot

Each elector approaches altarwith folded ballot held up in clear view.After kneeling in prayer,ballot is placedin bronze urn

Electric airpump: Ensuressmoke exitsthrough chimney

Stove: Chemicalsused to produceblack or white smoke

Ballots tallied bythree Scrutineers,

and names readaloud. Ballots

then boundtogether byneedle and

thread, eachpiercedthrough

word“Eligo”

Pope is elected by two-thirdsmajority plus one. If no cardinalwins vote, ballots are burnedto produce black smoke.White smoke and ringing of bellindicate Pope has been chosen

Day Two onwards:Two votes held each morningand two each afternoonIf no decision is reached after34 ballots, field of competitorsis restricted to two candidateswho won most preferences infinal vote. New Pope is thenchosen by simple majority© GRAPHIC NEWS Source: Vatican Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images

Pope Benedict’s unexpected resignation has set inmotion the centuries-old process of electing a newpope. All cardinals are summoned to Rome fora meeting at the Vatican which is followedby the Papal election, or Conclave

Balcony

GreatBell

Domus SanctaeMarthae: Lodgingsfor cardinals takingpart in conclave

During conclave, cardinalsreside within Vatican andare not permitted anycontact with outside world

Cardinals takeshort bus ride to

Sistine Chapelto vote

Saint Peter’sBasilica

St. Peter’sSquare

Having given hisconsent, new pope goes

to adjacent Room of Tears,where he changes into papal

vestments before receiving pledgesof obedience from fellow cardinals

Announcement made in Latin:“We have a Pope”. Newly-elected

pontiff delivers blessing frombalcony of St Peter’s Basilica

False floor:Jamming deviceshidden under floorprevent cell phonesfrom working

Screen, ortransenna

1492 Conclave first to be held here.Site of all conclaves

since 1878 Room ofTears

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

All cardinals under age of80 – currently 117 – are eligible to vote

Tarcisio Bertone: Cardinal Camerlengo,or Chamberlain, will supervisewhole electionprocess

Europe 61 (Italy 28)Latin America 19North America 14Asia/Oceania 12Africa 11

Origin

Day One: Cardinals celebrate Massbefore walking in procession to Sistine Chapel

After entering chapel, Cardinals place handon Gospel and swear oath of secrecy underpenalty of excommunication

Latin command “Extra Omnes” instructs everyonenot taking part in election to leave – Sistine Chapelsealed by Camerlengo and first ballot begins

Under inscription “I elect asSupreme Pontiff” each cardinal-

elector writes name ofhis preferred papal

candidate onballot

Each elector approaches altarwith folded ballot held up in clear view.After kneeling in prayer,ballot is placedin bronze urn

Electric airpump: Ensuressmoke exitsthrough chimney

Stove: Chemicalsused to produceblack or white smoke

Ballots tallied bythree Scrutineers,

and names readaloud. Ballots

then boundtogether byneedle and

thread, eachpiercedthrough

word“Eligo”

Pope is elected by two-thirdsmajority plus one. If no cardinalwins vote, ballots are burnedto produce black smoke.White smoke and ringing of bellindicate Pope has been chosen

Day Two onwards:Two votes held each morningand two each afternoonIf no decision is reached after34 ballots, field of competitorsis restricted to two candidateswho won most preferences infinal vote. New Pope is thenchosen by simple majority