Who Will Be the New Pope?

Discover Now Who Will Be the New Pope? Understand How the Selection of Francis' Successor Works, Step by Step

After all, what happens after the death of a Pope?

Certainly, after the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic world is plunged into mourning.

However, at the same time, enormous expectations take hold of the faithful and the international press.
Therefore, the inevitable question arises: who will be the new pope?

Therefore, understanding this process is essential to follow one of the most important decisions of the Catholic Church in the 21st century.

Then you will see all the details about the Conclave, to the requirements to be elected, you most quoted names and who has the power to decide the future of the Church.

How is the New Pope Chosen?

Firstly, the process of electing a new Pope takes place in a solemn ceremony called Conclave.

Therefore, the Vatican convenes the Conclave between 15 to 20 days after the death of the pontiff.

Thus, the cardinals under 80 years old meet at Sistine Chapel, in Rome, to elect the new leader of the Church.

Then they begin daily secret votes, with well-established rules.

After all, Pope Paul VI established that only cardinals under 80 years of age would have the right to vote, and Pope John Paul II reinforced this rule in 1996.

What Are the Minimum Requirements to Become Pope?

At first, any man baptized in the catholic faith can be elected Pope.
However, in practice, cardinals usually choose one of their peers — that is, another cardinal.

Furthermore, the chosen one must be someone with strong spirituality, recognized morals, pastoral leadership and the ability to dialogue with the current world.

However, if the chosen one is not already a bishop, he must be ordered immediately before taking office.

Therefore, the choice carries immense spiritual and political weight.

Conclave Stages: How Does the Voting Process Work?

At first, the cardinals make a oath of absolute secrecy before starting voting.

Then, the polls take place within four sessions per day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
However, for a name to be elected, he needs 2/3 of the votes of all voting cardinals.

Therefore, if after three days there is no consensus, the cardinals pause for prayer, reflection and informal dialogue.

After all, the process seeks not only a democratic choice, but also spiritual guidance.

When Do We Know Who Was Elected?

After all, the whole world is waiting for a single sign: the color of the smoke.
Therefore, when the cardinals burn the ballot papers, the smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel chimney indicates the result.
If it is black, there is still no decision.
If it is white, means that “We Have Dad” — we have a new Pope!

Then the new leader appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, and the Cardinal Protodeacon announces his name.
This moment goes down in the history of the Church and is broadcast live to the entire world.

Who Has the Power to Vote?

Currently, about 120 cardinals are eligible to vote.

However, only those who are under 80 years old on the day before the start of the Conclave can participate.

Thus, these cardinals represent all continents and different ideological currents of the Church.

Therefore, the decision involves geographic diversity, theological and pastoral.
These leaders were appointed by previous Popes — which also influences the profile of the candidates.

Most Likely Names to Be the New Pope

However, there is no official list of candidates.
However, some names always appear in media speculation and among Vatican experts:

• Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): advocate of interreligious dialogue, known for his work for peace.
• Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): close to Pope Francis, has strong appeal among young people and a social focus.
• Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana): respected voice on environmental issues and global social justice issues.
• Cardinal Odilo Scherer (Brazil): Archbishop of São Paulo, with excellent connections in the Roman Curia.

However, Pope Francis is the greatest proof that surprises can happen.
After all, few expected his election in 2013.

Is There A Deadline For Selection?

Yes, the Code of Canon Law defines deadlines.
Therefore, the Conclave must begin on the maximum 20 days after the death of the Pope.

This gives the cardinals time to travel to Rome, participate in the funeral ceremonies and prepare themselves spiritually.
However, the voting itself is usually quick: the last conclaves lasted between 2 and 5 days.

What is the Role of the New Pope?

After all, the new Pope will be head of the Catholic Church, with more than 1.3 billion faithful.
In addition, he will lead the Vatican State and will be an influential voice on issues such as ethics, social justice, poverty, immigration and the environment.

Therefore, the choice must reflect someone who understands contemporary challenges, without losing the spirit of the apostolic tradition.
The new Pope will also inherit sensitive issues, such as the abuse scandals, the decline in vocations and dialogue with other religions.

Conclusion: The Future of the Church is in the Hands of the Next Pope

In short, who will be the new pope is not just a religious event: it is a moment historical, spiritual and political.
After all, the future of the Catholic Church and its presence in the world depend directly on this choice.

Therefore, follow the Conclave, understanding the behind-the-scenes and knowing the names being considered is essential for every Catholic — and for anyone interested in religion, geopolitics or culture.

If you want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes at the Vatican or receive updates on the Conclave, stay tuned for upcoming articles here on the blog.

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