Because the Catholic Church enters a interval of transition, thousands and thousands of Catholics worldwide are questioning what comes subsequent.
VATICAN CITY, — Pope Francis died on Easter Monday on the age of 88, ending his 12-year papacy as the primary pontiff from Latin America and first Jesuit pope.
Following his funeral, preparations can start in earnest to launch the centuries-old technique of electing a brand new pope.
Timeline for choosing the following pope
After Saturday’s funeral, the Church enters a nine-day interval of official mourning often known as the “novendiali.” Throughout this solemn time, cardinals from world wide will proceed arriving in Rome to organize for the conclave that may elect the following pope.
In keeping with Catholic custom, the conclave should start between 15 and 20 days after the declaration of “sede vacante” (Latin for “the seat is vacant”). It is doubtless it will start within the first week of Might.
The election course of
Solely cardinals below the age of 80 are eligible to vote within the papal conclave. These cardinals will collect within the Sistine Chapel for secret poll periods, following procedures which have developed over centuries.
After every voting session, the ballots are burned in a particular range. Black smoke alerts that no pope has been elected, whereas white smoke signifies that the cardinals have efficiently chosen the brand new chief of the Catholic Church.
How lengthy will it take?
Whereas traditionally some conclaves have lasted months, trendy papal elections are typically a lot shorter. Since 1900, no conclave has lasted greater than 4 days. The 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis was one of many shortest in historical past, concluding in simply over 24 hours.
Who is likely to be the following pope?
Whereas technically any baptized Catholic male might be elected pope, the final time somebody exterior the School of Cardinals was chosen was in 1378. A number of cardinals are thought-about potential contenders, sometimes called “papabile.”
Pope Francis made historical past as the primary Jesuit pope and first pope from the Americas. His successor will now lead the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics following his important 12-year papacy that ended on Easter Monday, 2025.
