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This is not known, there will be a voted about that later.

2/3 out of votes are needed from the people who vote to become the new Pope, this all happens behind closed doors.

White smoke: There is a new Pope.
Black smoke: There is no new Pope.
The conclave will be held next month around early to mid May.

Various cardinals from around the world will be candidates for the papacy.
 
Yes, and now that we know he had a stroke, and it was not a respiratory issue from over-exertion that was the cause of his death, more rest would probably not have been a significant benefit to his failing health. I don't know what kind of emergency care is available to the Pope (and others) at the Vatican. If it was a massive stroke, as seems likely, there might not have been much they could do for him. May he rest in peace.
Agreed.

I would imagine that Pope Francis had left clear instructions that the cause of death was to be made known.

This would have been in very much keeping with his known preference for a degree of openness in how he conducted himself while he served as Pope and as Bishop of Rome, and would also serve to quash any idiotic (perhaps conspiracy fuelled) rumours about the manner of his death (a situation that was not unknown with some of his predecessors).

Actually, I have been quite impressed with how open the Vatican have been - and how they have handled the publicity - since the death of Pope Francis.

It would have been all too easy to hide behind centuries of tradition ("because this is the way things have always been done"), but, instead, - I suspect, operating on clear instructions from the late (and genuinely regretted and lamented) Pope Francis - they have been commendably open in the material they have released and with the details of the funeral arrangements.
 
The process during the lockup where the cardinals choose the next Pope. I am not religious, not a Catholic, have not seen the Conclave film but am intrigued by this. My understanding is that once locked in (with a few officials and doctors) they will have no access to the outside world, phones, newspapers etc. They will vote twice a day until one candidate receives a two thirds majority. There are more than 100 eligible cardinals taking part (must not be more than 80 years of age).

My main question is with what information are they making their voting decisions? Are those hoping to be Pope permitted to give a speech or presentation to the others? Do they have written materials to review such as biographies, platforms, assessments from congregations etc. ? Many are elderly men who likely have not met some of the others in depth over the years. Do the on site officials provide information, suggestions, pressure towards certain candidates?

If anyone knows how this actually works please let us know.
 
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The process during the lockup where the cardinals choose the next Pope. I am not religious, not a Catholic, have not seen the Conclave film but am intrigued by this. My understanding is that once locked in (with a few officials and doctors) they will have no access to the outside world, phones, newspapers etc. They will vote twice a day until one candidate receives a two thirds majority. There are more than 100 eligible cardinals taking part (must not be more than 80 years of age).

My main question is with what information are they making their voting decisions? Are those hoping to be Pope permitted to give a speech or presentation to the others? Do they have written materials to review such as biographies, platforms, assessments from congregations etc. ? Many are elderly men who likely have not met some of the others in depth over the years. Do the on site officials provide information, suggestions, pressure towards certain candidates?

If anyone knows how this actually works please let us know.
Sure. It's Rock, Paper, Scissors.
 
If you watch the film Conclave, it will give you a good idea of the processes of the conclave.
I understand that the film makers had spoken to a few cardinals who had taken part in previous conclaves, so it is pretty accurate. The film shows cardinals gathering in little groups horse-trading, and that's just what has been shown in TV reports of what has been going on as the cardinals gather.

The few snippets of film about what has been happening inside the Pope's residence (sealing of the doors to his rooms, breaking of the Pope's ring, etc) are accurately portrayed in both The Shoes of the Fisherman and Conclave.

The process of voting (each cardinal taking his vote up to the table, uttering a special prayer, putting his vote in the special urn) takes so long, it's no wonder they can only manage two votes a day.

Interestingly, The Shoes of the Fisherman portrays them using wet straw to get the black smoke and dry to get the white smoke, but Conclave shows them injecting black or white smoke from a canister into the burning ballots.
Apparently there are new rules - No members of the conclave over 80 years old and only 100 members.
 
but Conclave shows them injecting black or white smoke from a canister into the burning ballots.

They add chemicals into the furnace.


Also added bell ringing to help remove any doubt.

All started with Benedict's conclave iirc since the two John Pauls had iffy smoke colors.
 
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The process during the lockup where the cardinals choose the next Pope. I am not religious, not a Catholic, have not seen the Conclave film but am intrigued by this. My understanding is that once locked in (with a few officials and doctors) they will have no access to the outside world, phones, newspapers etc. They will vote twice a day until one candidate receives a two thirds majority. There are more than 100 eligible cardinals taking part (must not be more than 80 years of age).

My main question is with what information are they making their voting decisions? Are those hoping to be Pope permitted to give a speech or presentation to the others? Do they have written materials to review such as biographies, platforms, assessments from congregations etc. ? Many are elderly men who likely have not met some of the others in depth over the years. Do the on site officials provide information, suggestions, pressure towards certain candidates?

If anyone knows how this actually works please let us know.
Some good information about the lobbying etc.

 
The lock in starts in a few hours. They will be bussed to and from their guesthouse. No phones of course. Interesting if they discretely monitored the phone withdrawal symptoms of these seniors :)
Yea while this problem is known among Millennials and Gen Z (forget Gen A they are on the way to cyborgism or post-human) even us "oldies" (Gen X here) can suffer from e-addiction.
 
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The lock in starts in a few hours. They will be bussed to and from their guesthouse. No phones of course. Interesting if they discretely monitored the phone withdrawal symptoms of these seniors :)
They've gone as far as to disable cellular coverage in the Vatican in case anyone smuggles a phone into the conclave.

Yea while this problem is known among Millennials and Gen Z (forget Gen A they are on the way to cyborgism or post-human) even us "oldies" (Gen X here) can suffer from e-addiction.
The youngest cardinal was born in 1980, nearly young enough to be considered a millennial. :p
 
I wonder: If the conclave goes on for several weeks, will the Cardinals that turn 80 in the interim be allowed to continue voting? ;)
 
I wonder: If the conclave goes on for several weeks, will the Cardinals that turn 80 in the interim be allowed to continue voting? ;)
I think there will be a new Pope elected in the next 2-3 days.

My guess is that any Cardinal who entered the conclave today will remain eligible to vote until it has ended even if he becomes 80 during the process.
 
I am following the reporting of the Conclave with absorbed fascination; the masterful use of public relations - some of the shots, and imagery were amazing - blended with ancient and antique traditions are an utterly compelling spectacle.
 
I wonder: If the conclave goes on for several weeks, will the Cardinals that turn 80 in the interim be allowed to continue voting? ;)
It’s their age when the Pope dies that counts.

Did they make the old fellows do the prison bend and spread routine upon arriving :rolleyes:
Cardinals aren’t the only people included either. There’s also guards, medical personell, chefs (who I believe are nuns) etc. that part of the people that need to be shut off from the outside.
 
Fox News is reporting black smoke after 2 rounds of voting this morning. No new pope.
Yes, I have read this also.

They now break for lunch (which I don't doubt, this being Rome, and they being the Conclave of Cardinals, will be delicious) before participating in a further two rounds of voting this afternoon and evening.

It was interesting to observe the use of social media among the Cardinals - many posting yesterday that they were about to surrender their phones, for example, before the start of the actual conclave.
 
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