With the recent passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the world’s attention turns to one of the oldest and most fascinating traditions in religious history: the selection of a new Pope. This centuries-old process combines sacred ritual, political considerations, and carefully preserved traditions that have evolved over two millennia.
The Pope’s Role in the Catholic Church
The papacy represents one of the world’s oldest continuous institutions. For the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the Pope is not merely a religious leader but a direct spiritual successor to St. Peter, who Catholics believe was appointed by Jesus Christ himself to lead his church.
This unbroken line of succession grants the Pope extraordinary authority within the Catholic faith. He serves as:
- The supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful
- The ultimate authority on matters of doctrine and morality
- The visible symbol of unity among Catholics globally
- The sovereign of Vatican City, the world’s smallest independent state
While many Christians consult scripture for guidance, Catholics also look to papal teachings as authoritative sources that govern the Church’s beliefs and practices. It’s worth noting that while Roman Catholics make up approximately half of all Christians worldwide, Protestant and Orthodox denominations do not recognize papal authority.
What Happens When a Pope Dies
Upon the death of a Pope, a carefully orchestrated sequence of events begins. Pope Francis, known for his humility and simplicity during life, made several notable changes to traditional papal funeral procedures.
The funeral process now includes:
- Placing the Pope’s body in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, rather than the traditional three nested coffins of cypress, lead, and oak
- Allowing mourners to pay respects with the coffin lid removed, rather than displaying the body on an elevated catafalque
- Burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making Francis the first Pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican
Between the Pope’s death and the election of his successor, the College of Cardinals temporarily governs the Church. This period, known as the sede vacante (vacant seat), is marked by specific administrative arrangements to maintain Church functions.
Who Chooses the New Pope? The Conclave: Electing a New Pope
The selection of a new Pope falls to the College of Cardinals, the Church’s most senior officials, all appointed by previous Popes. Currently, 252 cardinals serve worldwide, though only the 138 under the age of 80 are eligible to vote.
The election process, known as the conclave (from Latin meaning “with key,” referring to the locked doors), follows these steps:
- Gathering at the Vatican: Eligible cardinals from around the world travel to Rome
- Preparatory meetings: Cardinals discuss the challenges facing the Church and assess potential candidates
- The Conclave begins: Cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel, taking an oath of secrecy
- Seclusion: The doors are locked, and cardinals remain isolated from the outside world
- Voting: Multiple rounds of secret balloting occur until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority
- Smoke signals: After each voting session, the ballots are burned, producing smoke visible to crowds in St. Peter’s Square
- Black smoke indicates no decision
- White smoke announces a new Pope has been chosen
This process can last anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks. Historically, some conclaves have continued for months, with cardinals occasionally dying during particularly lengthy deliberations.
The Announcement and Beginning of a New Papacy
When a cardinal receives the required two-thirds majority, he is asked if he accepts the position. Upon acceptance, he immediately becomes Pope and chooses his papal name.
The announcement follows a traditional format:
- The senior cardinal deacon appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica
- He proclaims “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”) to the waiting crowd
- The new Pope’s birth name and chosen papal name are announced
- The new Pope appears on the balcony to impart his first blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”)
The papal name choice often signals the new Pope’s priorities or honors influential predecessors or saints. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, chose his name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, signaling his commitment to the poor and environmental concerns.
Who Can Become Pope?
Technically, any baptized Catholic man could be elected Pope. In practice, however, the selection almost always comes from within the College of Cardinals.
Historical patterns show strong geographical preferences:
- Of the 266 popes in history, 217 have been Italian
- Only in 2013 did the first South American Pope (Francis) emerge, despite Latin America being home to nearly 28% of the world’s Catholics
- No Pope has ever come from Asia, Oceania, or sub-Saharan Africa
While European (and particularly Italian) dominance has been the historical norm, recent decades have shown greater geographical diversity in papal elections. This reflects the increasingly global nature of Catholicism, with its center of gravity shifting from Europe toward the Global South.
The Modern Papacy: Continuity and Change
Today’s papacy balances ancient traditions with modern challenges. The Pope must simultaneously serve as:
- A spiritual leader providing moral guidance
- The administrator of a global institution with complex diplomatic relationships
- A voice addressing contemporary issues from poverty to climate change
- A guardian of Catholic doctrine amid shifting cultural norms
While the process of papal succession maintains its centuries-old rituals, each Pope brings his own personality, priorities, and vision to the role. The selection of the next Pope will undoubtedly reflect both the Church’s timeless traditions and its evolving place in our rapidly changing world.
As Catholics and observers worldwide await the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel, they participate in a moment that connects them to thousands of years of history while setting the course for the Church’s future.