On May 7, 2025, the Catholic Church will begin the important process of electing a new Pope through a conclave, a tradition that has been going on for centuries. The conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and will involve cardinals from all over the world. The process is highly secretive and full of rituals that are full of meaning. This article will explain the stages of electing a new Pope and the meaning behind each step.
What is a Conclave?
A conclave is a closed meeting of the cardinals of the Catholic Church to elect a new pope. The word "conclave" comes from the Latin cum clave , meaning "with a key," referring to the tradition of locking the cardinals in a room until they reach a decision. In this conclave, 135 cardinals under the age of 80 will be the official electors.
The conclave usually takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of the previous pope. But in this case, the conclave began 16 days after Pope Francis' death on April 21, 2025. Before the conclave began, the cardinals held a General Congregation, a meeting to discuss church issues and get to know each other better.
Stages of the Election of the New Pope
1. Mass for the Deliverance of the Father
The conclave process begins with the Mass Pro Eligendo Papa, a special mass held in St. Peter's Basilica. This mass is intended to ask for God's guidance in choosing the new leader of the Catholic Church. All cardinals, both those with voting rights and those without, are present at this mass.
2. Procession to the Sistine Chapel
After the mass, the cardinals who have the right to vote walk in procession to the Sistine Chapel. This procession is carried out solemnly, accompanied by prayers and songs. Upon arrival at the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals take an oath to keep the election process secret and not to accept any outside influence.
3. Closing of the Sistine Chapel
Once all the cardinals have entered, the doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed and locked. The term "extra omnes" is announced, meaning that everyone not involved in the conclave must leave the room. The Sistine Chapel is then sealed to ensure that there is no communication with the outside world during the proceedings.
4. Voting
Voting begins on the afternoon of the first day. If there is no result, voting continues in four rounds each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a piece of paper which is then folded and placed in a large chalice.
5. Vote Counting
Once all the votes have been counted, the three cardinals appointed to count the votes will read the results aloud. If no candidate receives two-thirds of the vote, then voting continues. If after three days there is no result, there will be a one-day break for prayer and discussion.
6. Announcement of Results
When a candidate wins two-thirds of the vote, he will be asked whether he accepts the election. If he accepts, he will choose a name to be used as Pope. After that, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney as a sign that the new Pope has been elected.
7. Announcement of "Habemus Papam"
After the new pope is elected, the cardinal protodeacon will appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to proclaim "Habemus Papam," which means "We have a pope." The new pope then gives an apostolic blessing to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Strong Candidate for New Pope
Currently, there are several strong candidates who are said to have a great chance of becoming the next Pope. Some names that have come up in the discussion are Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, and Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary. Each candidate has a different vision and approach to leading the Catholic Church.
Conclusion
The conclave is a process full of traditions and spiritual meaning. With the start of the conclave on May 7, 2025, the Catholic Church will enter a new chapter in its history. This process is not only an important moment for Catholics, but also attracts the world's attention. Who will be the 267th Pope? Let's wait together for the results.
