Explainer: How is the Pope selected? When the black smoke turns into white …
Vatican City:
Pope Francis’s health is going bad. He is still hospitalized due to complex infections and kidney disease of the lungs. In such a situation, due to his falling health, speculation about the election of his possible successor has intensified. To understand how the next Pope is chosen, we have to know who are the Pope and what is the college of cardinals? Also, we will also learn about Pope Francis in this Excellener.
Who are the pope?
The Pope Greek word derives from Pappas, which means ‘Father/Father’. Simply put, the Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church worldwide. The Christian scripture was the first Pope St. Peter to work as the head of the church according to the Bible.
Who is Pope Francis?
Pope Francis is the first Pope coming from the American continent. Pope Francis was born on 17 December 1936 at Buenos Aires, Argentina. He got his name at birth- George Mario Bergoglyo. He was born to the homes of immigrants from Italy. When he became the Pope, he was inspired by St. Francis of the Italian city of Assisi and chose Francis, who was known for his humility and dedication to the service of the poor.
In March 2013, he was selected as the Pope. With this, he became the first pope coming from America.
What is a college of cardinals?
Cardinals are bishops and Vatican officers coming from all over the world, who are personally chosen by the Pope. They are identified with their special red clothes. The group of these cardinals is called the college of cardinals.
How is the Pope chosen?
Yes, come back on the same question how the Pope is chosen. According to the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop, after any reason the Pope’s post is vacant, these cardinals hold a meeting one after the other in the Vatican City, which is called General Congress (General Congress). In these meetings, they discuss the needs and challenges faced by the Catholic Church globally. At the same time, they also prepare for the election of the next Pope, which is called Conclave. Meanwhile, such decisions that can only take the pope, such as the appointment of a bishop or calling a bishop’s Dharm Sabha, is awaited till after the election. In such a meeting itself, arrangements are made for the funeral of the dead Pope and to bury them.
Cardinals vote secretly for the Pope’s election. They put twice turned ballot paper in a big bowl. Until a candidate gets two-thirds of the votes, four rounds of voting are held every day. The results of each round are counted vigorously and three cardinals that become recorders record them. If someone does not get the required two-thirds of the votes, the ballot paper is burnt in a stove near the chapel and they are burnt in a chemical that produces black smoke.
White smoke is produced to indicate the choice of new Pope
Finally, when a cardinal gets two-thirds of the required votes, the Dean of the Cardinals College asks him if he accepts his election to the post of Pope. If he accepts, he chooses a pope name for himself. Then she is worn by Pope’s dress before going to the balcony of St. Peter Basilica. The final round ballot paper is burnt with a chemical that produces white smoke to indicate the choice of the new Pope to the world.
Finally, Senior Cardinal Decan announces from the balcony of St. Peter that ‘Hebemus Papam’ means we have got the pope. After this, the Pope comes out and gives his blessings to the whole world including the city of Rome.
