Have you ever wondered how a new pope is chosen? 🕊️ It’s a fascinating process that happens in the heart of Vatican City! Let’s dive in and explore how it all works.
The College of Cardinals
The Catholic Church has a special group of senior priests called cardinals. When it’s time to choose a new pope, these cardinals come together from all over the world. 🌍
The Conclave
The election happens during a secret meeting called the conclave. The word ‘conclave’ means ‘with a key’ in Latin, which means the cardinals are locked inside until they make a decision. 🔒
How They Vote
The cardinals vote in secret ballots. They write the name of the person they believe should be the next pope on a piece of paper and place it in a special container. 🗳️ This process continues until someone receives a two-thirds majority.
Smoke Signals
After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. The smoke that comes from the chimney tells the public what’s happening. If the smoke is black, it means no decision yet. If the smoke is white, it means a new pope has been chosen! 🚭➡️⚪
A New Beginning
When a new pope is elected, he chooses a new name and steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to meet everyone waiting outside. It’s a moment of joy and excitement for people all around the world! 🥳
Now you know how the new leader of the Catholic Church is chosen. Isn’t it amazing how these traditions have been carried on for centuries?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
