Choosing a new pope white smoke
The excitement of a papal conclave! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you understand the process of choosing a new pope and the significance of white smoke:
The Papal Conclave
When the Pope passes away or resigns, the College of Cardinals, a group of senior bishops from around the world, gathers in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope. This process is called a papal conclave.
The Process
- Cardinals gather: The College of Cardinals, led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, arrives at the Vatican to begin the conclave.
- Cardinals take an oath: Each cardinal takes an oath to maintain the secrecy of the conclave and to follow the rules of the conclave.
- Cardinals choose a place to vote: The cardinals choose a place in the Sistine Chapel where they will hold their votes.
- Cardinals vote: Each cardinal writes the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot paper and deposits it in a special urn.
- Two-thirds majority required: A candidate must receive two-thirds of the votes (at least 77 out of 120) to be elected Pope.
- Ballots are counted: The ballots are counted, and if no candidate has reached the required majority, the ballots are burned, and the process begins again.
The Significance of White Smoke
When a new Pope is elected, the ballots are burned, and white smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel's chimney to signal to the world that a new Pope has been chosen. The white smoke is a symbol of the Holy Spirit's guidance and the joy of the election.
The Announcement
After the white smoke appears, the dean of the College of Cardinals emerges from the Sistine Chapel to announce the election of the new Pope. He gives a brief speech, and then the new Pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the crowd and give his first blessing as Pope.
Interesting Facts
- The papal conclave is a secret process, and the cardinals are sworn to secrecy.
- The cardinals are not allowed to communicate with the outside world during the conclave.
- The ballots are burned, and the ashes are collected and buried in a special cemetery.
- The new Pope is given the name of a previous Pope, usually one who was significant in the history of the Catholic Church.
Now, let's imagine the excitement of waiting for the white smoke to appear, signaling the election of a new Pope!