Inside the Conclave
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 will start the process to select the next pope. One hundred and fifteen Cardinals will embark into the Sistine Chapel that Michaelangelo made famous. This is the site of all papal elections since 1878. Any communication to the outside of the Sistine Chapel is forbidden.
Europe holds the advantage with the highest number of Cardinals, total of 61, present at the conclave, with South America at 19, North America 14, Africa 11, Asia, 11 and Australia with 1.
Italy by far has the most Cardinals when breaking it down by country:
- Italy - 28
- USA - 11
- Germany - 6
- Brazil - 5
- Spain - 5
- India - 5
- France - 4
- Poland - 4
- Mexico - 3
- Canada - 3
Votes are hadnwritten on ballots and cast into special Urns and counted by three people. Then the count is verified by another three people. We should expect on round of voting the first day. A two thirds majority is required for the pope to be elected. If a majority is not met, the ballots are burned resulting in black smoke. If there is a selection a special chemical is added to the ballots, which would then produce white smoke. This smoke signal, along with bells tolling, announce the election of a pope.
The person that is selected is then asked if he accepts the position. If he accepts, he will need to provide a papal name.
How Long Have Past Elections Taken?
- Pope - Days - Ballots
- Benedict XVI - 2 - 8
- John Paul II - 2 - 8
- John Paul I - 1 - 4
- Paul VI - 2 - 6
- John XXIII - 3 - 11
- Pius XII - 1 - 3
God Bless You. God Bless the Cardinals and Vatican Support Staff.
A message for the Cardinals - "Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father" 1Th 1:3
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