Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church prepares for the papal conclave—a centuries-old, secretive process to elect a new pope and spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide. In this detailed explainer, we tell you about the steps of electing a new pope, from the gathering of cardinals in the Sistine Chapel to the secret ballots, the importance of the conclave in guiding the future of the Catholic Church and what happens once a pope is elected, including the iconic white smoke and the 'Habemus Papam' announcement.
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00:00Each time the leader of the Catholic Church, the Pope, passes away, a centuries-old ritual
00:10takes place in the heart of Vatican City, beneath the Grand Dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
00:17The world is mourning the passing of Pope Francis,
00:20the beloved Argentine pontiff who became a symbol of humility and reform.
00:30But what happens next? The Church must elect a new shepherd,
00:34and this sacred process is called the Papal Conclave.
00:41When the conclave begins, the doors of the Sistine Chapel are sealed.
00:46Only the College of Cardinals, those under 80, are allowed inside.
00:52Inside, they vote. Ballots are cast secretly, and it takes a two-thirds majority to elect the next Pope.
01:00After each round, the ballots are burned.
01:06Black smoke means no decision. White smoke signals Habemus Papam. We have a Pope.
01:13The new Pope accepts the role, chooses his papal name, and appears before the world on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
01:21The Pope's role goes far beyond the Vatican walls.
01:26He is the spiritual leader of over a billion people and a diplomatic figure,
01:32influencing not just religious matters, but global peace, social justice, and human dignity.
01:38The last conclave was held in March 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI's resignation,
01:47a rare event that ushered in the papacy of Pope Francis.
01:50Now, as the world says farewell to Pope Francis, the Church prepares once more for a sacred tradition that spans centuries,
02:01choosing a new shepherd for uncertain times.
02:06In a world ever in need of guidance, the election of a new Pope marks an end of an era,
02:11and gives hope for a future shaped by faith, compassion, and unity.
02:16to prepare for another day.
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