The meeting of the Cardinals who will choose the new Pope begins tomorrow in the Vatican; White smoke indicates the conclusion of the elections from tomorrow (7), 133 cardinals from all over the world will be collected in the Vatican to choose the new Pope. The process should last between two and three days. This is because it will take 89 […]
The meeting of the Cardinals who will choose the new Pope begins tomorrow in the Vatican; White smoke indicates the conclusion of the elections
From tomorrow (7), 133 cardinals from all over the world will be collected in the Vatican to choose the new Pope. The process should last between two and three days. This is because it will take 89 votes to elect the new pontiff. This number corresponds to two thirds of 133 – the minimum for a cardinal as elected pope.
All this happens to the event known as Conclave. This term derives from the Latin expression “cum claves”, which means “with the key” or “closed with the key”. The term indicates the practice of confining the cardinals to the Vatican so that the election of the new pope does not receive external interference.
The role of the tellers
According to the Vatican News, the Holy See news portal, the cardinals use paper banknotes to choose the new Pope. Before the vote, one of the cardinals attracts, among its peers, three tellers (responsible for the count of the votes), three auditors and three in charge of collecting the votes of the cardinals who unfortunately are sick and isolated in their dormitories.
When the process ends, the tellers count the cells and confer if the number corresponds to the total voters. When it does not correspond, all banknotes are burned and a second vote is performed. However, when there is correspondence, the tellers open the banknotes and read the votes aloud, which are anonymous. In this way, voting cardinals can record these votes to keep up with the evolution of the elections. Likewise, the scrutics write it in a separate sheet.
After this phase, the three auditors check the banknotes and notes of the tellers to guarantee the accuracy of the work. So, before the cardinals leave the Sistine chapel (position of the Vatican reserved for the vote), all the cells are burned.
White smoke
Numerous votes can take place in the conclave until a name represents two thirds of the total voters. In general, there are two elections in the morning and two in the afternoon. If, in three days, there is no name, the cardinals stop for reflections and prayers.
Since neither journalists nor Catholic can follow the vote on site, communication takes place through the smoke that comes out of one of the Vatican roofs. If it is black, it is because the Pope’s name has not yet been chosen (so that smoking has this tone, a chemical is added to the burnt cells). If it is white, it is because the new pope has been elected.
In the conclave that begins tomorrow, the white smoke will signal the name of the religious who will create the 267th pontificate of the Catholic Church. This new Pope will happen to Pope Francis, who led the church for 12 years (2013-2025).
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
