Vatican Countdown: Here Are The Candidates For New Pope – ZH

Via ZeroHedge

Update (1628ET): 

Pope Francis’ death earlier this morning triggered centuries-old traditions and rules within the Roman Catholic Church, including mourning and the selection of a new leader.

Here are the key steps in selecting the new pope: 

Vacancy of the Papal See:

• The process begins when the papacy becomes vacant, typically due to the death of the reigning pope or, more rarely, resignation (e.g., Pope Benedict XVI in 2013).
• The Camerlengo, a cardinal appointed to manage the Church’s temporal affairs during the vacancy, verifies the pope’s death (historically by tapping the forehead and calling his baptismal name) and assumes interim administrative duties.

Preparation for the Conclave:

• The College of Cardinals gathers in Rome for General Congregations, daily meetings to handle Church business and prepare for the conclave. These meetings include all cardinals, but only those under 80 years old can vote.
• The conclave must begin 15–20 days after the vacancy, allowing time for cardinals to travel, though this can be adjusted slightly.
• The Sistine Chapel is prepared as the voting venue, secured to ensure secrecy, with electronic jamming devices to prevent leaks.

The Conclave:

• Eligible Voters: Only cardinals under 80 years old at the start of the vacancy can participate (maximum 120 electors, though the number varies; currently ~130 eligible cardinals exist, per Vatican estimates).
• Seclusion: Cardinals are sequestered in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (a Vatican residence) and the Sistine Chapel, swearing oaths of secrecy. No external communication is allowed.

Voting Process:

• Voting occurs in the Sistine Chapel, with two rounds in the morning and two in the afternoon each day.
• Cardinals write a name on a ballot, fold it, and place it in a chalice, saying, “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge.”
• A two-thirds majority (e.g., 80 of 120 votes) is required to elect a pope.
• If no candidate achieves this, the ballots are burned with a chemical to produce black smoke (indicating no decision). If a candidate secures two-thirds, the ballots are burned to produce white smoke, signaling a new pope.

Scrutiny and Counting:

• Three scrutineers (elected cardinals) count votes, with infirmarii collecting ballots from any sick cardinals. Ballots are burned after each session.

Deadlock Provisions:

• After ~13 days (33–34 ballots) without a two-thirds majority, cardinals may vote to reduce the requirement to a simple majority or hold a runoff between the top two candidates (per Universi Dominici Gregis).

Acceptance and Announcement:

• If elected, the candidate is asked by the Dean of the College of Cardinals: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” and, if yes, “By what name will you be called?”
• The new pope chooses a papal name (e.g., John Paul, Francis) and is vested in papal garments.
• The Cardinal Protodeacon announces “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, introducing the new pope’s name and title.
• The pope imparts the Urbi et Orbi blessing to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

 

Vatican News reports that Pope Francis died at the age of 88 at 7:35 a.m. local time (1:35 a.m. EST). Earlier this year, he experienced a severe health crisis that resulted in over a month of hospitalization due to double pneumonia.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of the 266th pope via this statement:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

Vatican News provided more color on the Pope’s deteriorating health leading up to his death on Easter Monday:

• The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
• Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.
• After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

To his 1.3 billion followers, Francis signaled a more inclusive stance toward LGBTQ+ Catholics and advocated for open borders in the United States.

Francis was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit to become the head of the Catholic Church, and the first to take the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up his vast amounts of wealth to live in poverty.

Throughout his tenure (March 13, 2013 to April 21, 2025), Francis also spoke about multiple recurring themes, including compassion, humility, and advocacy. He told followers, “My people are poor, and I am one of them.”

On Sunday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Francis to exchange Easter greetings.

“I know you have not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance told the Pope, adding, “Thank you for seeing me.”

The White House on Monday morning issued condolences on X:

The death of Francis sets in motion a chain of centuries-old procedures to secure a new pope. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, will act as the head of the Vatican in the meantime.

The question is whether the cardinals who choose Francis’ successor will read the latest cultural shifts across the West and pick a more traditional pope or continue down the path of progressive inclusiveness.