How is a new Pope selected?

[Tommy999]

Hello everyone,
I am a protestant inquirer who would like to better understand the process through which a new pope is selected. My only knowledge on the subject is that a group of cardinals (or at least I think it is cardinals) gets together and chooses one, upon which white smoke appears out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. I know nothing of the process involved, although I will naturally assume much thought and prayer are involved by those making the decision.

Questions:

1. How many cardinals are involved in the selection process?
2. Are any bishops or archbishops allowed to participate or provide (name removed by moderator)ut?
3. How many votes are taken?
4. What percentage of the vote is required to elect a new pope or does it have to be unanimous?
5. Are there deliberations? If so, who makes the case for each prospective candidate?
6. Is there a moderator? If so, is it one of the cardinals or a non-cardinal?
7. Does each cardinal go on record as to who they voted for or are the votes anonymous?
8. What requirements does the new pope have to have? For example, does he have to be a fellow cardinal or can he be an archbishop or bishop?

Thanks for your help in better understanding the process.

 

[tee_eff_em]

Hello everyone,
I am a protestant inquirer who would like to better understand the process through which a new pope is selected. My only knowledge on the subject is that a group of cardinals (or at least I think it is cardinals) gets together and chooses one, upon which white smoke appears out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. I know nothing of the process involved, although I will naturally assume much thought and prayer are involved by those making the decision.

Questions:

1. How many cardinals are involved in the selection process?

As many Cardinals as can be present when the conclave begins. The number of cardinal electors (cardinals who have not yet reached age 80) hovers near 120.

1. Are any bishops or archbishops allowed to participate or provide (name removed by moderator)ut?

Non-cardinals may be present in the conclave, but how do you define participate?
For instance: Donald Cardinal Wuerl was present in the 1978 conclaves that elected John Paul I and John Paul II when he was Fr Donald Wuerl. At that time, Fr Wuerl was secretary to John Cardinal Wright of Boston, who was in poor enough health that he required his secretary’s assistance.

Non-cardinal electors do not “get a vote” in any case. I believe Cardinals who are no longer electors may participate in and speak in the conclave, though they naturally do not vote.

1. How many votes are taken?

I believe one vote may be taken on the first day, and on subsequent days up to 4 votes may be taken (2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon)?

1. What percentage of the vote is required to elect a new pope or does it have to be unanimous?

The rules begin with 2/3 majority, which may be relaxed after a number of days of inconclusive votes.

1. Are there deliberations? If so, who makes the case for each prospective candidate?

I believe there are speeches, but their content is unknown outside the conclave?

1. Is there a moderator? If so, is it one of the cardinals or a non-cardinal?

The cardinal camerlengo and the dean of the college of cardinals both have significant roles, but I am not sure what they are?

1. Does each cardinal go on record as to who they voted for or are the votes anonymous?

The rules say the votes are cast in secret.

1. What requirements does the new pope have to have? For example, does he have to be a fellow cardinal or can he be an archbishop or bishop?

Thanks for your help in better understanding the process.

The new pope must be consecrated a bishop if he is not one already. If he is not already a priest, he must first be so ordained. The only qualification of the elect is to be a baptized Catholic male (and presumably not otherwise impeded from Holy Orders).

All of this is off the top of my head. You can confirm (or refute any mistakes) by turning to the source of the rules, Universi Dominici Gregis.

tee

 

[Tommy999]

Thanks a bunch, Tee. Very helpful indeed.

By question #2, I guess I meant are non-cardinals allowed to speak at the conclave in favor of a particular candidate or is that reserved for cardinals?

An additional question:
Do you happen to know if there is a preliminary list of candidates to start off with at the conclave or is a cardinal allowed to nominate anyone with proper qualifications who may not be on such a list, assuming there is a list? Just curious.

Your answers are very helpful. I have a much better picture now. Thanks again.

 

[tee_eff_em]

Thanks a bunch, Tee. Very helpful indeed.

By question #2, I guess I meant are non-cardinals allowed to speak at the conclave in favor of a particular candidate or is that reserved for cardinals?

I do not imagine so.

An additional question:
Do you happen to know if there is a preliminary list of candidates to start off with at the conclave or is a cardinal allowed to nominate anyone with proper qualifications who may not be on such a list, assuming there is a list? Just curious.

Your answers are very helpful. I have a much better picture now. Thanks again.

No, there is no “list of candidates” – At least: Not one known outside the conclave. [SPOILERALERT]Dan Brown made that up in Angels & Demons[/SPOILERALERT].

There is an old saying, however along the lines of: A man who goes into the conclave a Pope comes out a Cardinal. Meaning: Anyone who campaigns for the position (particularly outside the conclave (and perhaps even before it is properly vacant!)) is unlikely to be elected.

tee

 

[getysbg]

The cardinals do meet informally for a few days prior to the election. Most of the “major players” have written exstentively and are known by their peers. These informal meetings give them a chance to flesh out their opinions of each other. Many say that Francis is such a surprise and yet if you read his writings, he is not. Perhaps the surprise is that the cardinal electors chose to listen to the Holy Spirit.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Here’s a short explanation from the USCCB: usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/francis/how-is-a-new-pope-chosen.cfm

 

[Tommy999]

I do not imagine so.

No, there is no “list of candidates” – At least: Not one known outside the conclave. [SPOILERALERT]Dan Brown made that up in Angels & Demons[/SPOILERALERT].

There is an old saying, however along the lines of: A man who goes into the conclave a Pope comes out a Cardinal. Meaning: Anyone who campaigns for the position (particularly outside the conclave (and perhaps even before it is properly vacant!)) is unlikely to be elected.

tee

Thanks again for all the helpful info, Tee.

 

[Tommy999]

The cardinals do meet informally for a few days prior to the election. Most of the “major players” have written exstentively and are known by their peers. These informal meetings give them a chance to flesh out their opinions of each other. Many say that Francis is such a surprise and yet if you read his writings, he is not. Perhaps the surprise is that the cardinal electors chose to listen to the Holy Spirit.

I really like Pope Francis, getsybg. He is one of the reasons I am interested in Catholicism.

 

[Tommy999]

Here’s a short explanation from the USCCB: usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/francis/how-is-a-new-pope-chosen.cfm

Thanks for the link on how a new pope is chosen, SuscipeMeDomine. I enjoyed reading it.
It was short and concise and covered the majority of my questions. :tiphat:

I’ve got a lot better idea now. Much appreciated.