Catholic cardinals from all over the world will begin casting their votes for a new Pope on Wednesday.
The process of electing a new Pope is a highly ritualised and secretive process that takes place in the Sistine Chapel.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how it works:
“Each cardinal elector receives at least two or three ballots, distributed by the ceremonial officers. Then, the senior cardinal deacon draws lots to appoint three scrutineers (to count the votes), three infirmarii (to collect votes from ill cardinals), and three revisers (to verify the count). If any of those selected are unable to fulfil their roles due to illness or other reasons, new names are drawn in their place. This stage is known as the pre-scrutiny.
“Before voting begins, all non-electors – including the secretary of the College of Cardinals, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, and the ceremonial officers – must leave the Sistine Chapel. The senior cardinal deacon then closes the doors, opening and closing them only as needed, such as when the infirmarii go to collect the votes of ill cardinals and return,” according to Vatican News.
To elect a new Pope, a two-thirds majority is required, which means at least 89 votes out of 133 electors. If a Pope is elected, he will be led to the “Room of Tears”, where he dons the white papal vestments for the first time.
The cardinals vote four times daily, with pauses for prayer and reflection if no candidate has been chosen after a certain number of votes. The ballots are burnt after each round of voting, with chemicals added to produce black smoke if no Pope has been elected or white smoke if one has.
The process continues until a new Pope is elected, with the cardinals ultimately choosing a candidate who will lead the Catholic Church.
There is no time limit for a conclave, and the cardinal electors will continue voting until a candidate receives a two-thirds-plus-one majority.
Historically, conclaves have varied significantly in length. The shortest conclave lasted just 10 hours in 1503, resulting in the election of Pope Pius III, and the longest conclave lasted nearly three years.