As the center of faith for Christians around the world, the Pope is considered extremely powerful, in some cases even surpassing the authority of the state.
White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening. With that, the anxious wait of Catholics all over the world is over. About 1.5 billion Christians worldwide have a new pope.
With the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the world was talking about the selection of a new pope. Nearly four million followers gathered in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City to pay their last respects to Pope Francis.
His last rites were attended by many heads of state and government, from US President Trump to British Prince Williams. Pope Francis, the first Latin American to reach the highest office of the Roman Catholic Church, held the post for 12 years.
The Pope is considered to be very powerful as the center of faith for Christians scattered around the world. In some cases, papal authority is considered higher than state authority. The Pope's pronouncements constitute a moral guideline for Catholics worldwide.
Therefore, it is not strange that the search for a new pope to follow in his footsteps after Pope Francis has become a topic of discussion for the world. However, the cultural and religious beliefs associated with the election of a new pope attract the world.
After the death of any pope, the process of electing a new pope begins with a 9-day mourning period. Pope Francis died on April 21 and was buried on April 26. The process of electing a new Pope is done according to the Apostolic Constitution.
After the death of the Pope, the senior cardinal who will be in charge of the Vatican and 'The Camerlengo' must confirm it. He calls the Pope by his name three times and when he receives no response, declares his death. With that, the Pope's private apartment is sealed off and the administration of the Vatican falls to 'The Camerlengo'.
The period after the death of a Pope until the election of a new Pope is called 'Sede Vacante'. The Vatican then proceeds to organize a conclave of accredited cardinals to elect a new pope. During the 9-day period of mourning, a meeting of cardinals is held to set the date for electing a new pope. This time, the meeting of cardinals, which was held on April 28, decided to start the formal meeting to elect a new pope on May 7.
Only cardinals who have not reached the age of 80 at the time of the Sede Vacante are eligible to participate in the electoral process for electing a new pope. This time, 133 cardinals qualified for the papal election. Cardinals are required to attend the Sistine Chapel in person for the election of the Pope. According to the
tradition, a new pope should be elected within 15 to 20 days of the death or resignation of the pope. As the selection process begins, all those not eligible to vote are directed to leave the Sistine Chapel. None of the cardinals present are allowed to have any contact with the outside world until a new pope is elected. Special arrangements are made for that too.
As the voting for the new pope begins, each cardinal present writes the name of the person they want on a special type of paper and puts it in a pot. They vote up to four times a day to elect the Pope. Twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.
The decision is then read out by three chosen from among the cardinals and recorded. Whoever receives two-thirds of the votes of the cardinals present is elected the new pope. This time, at least 89 votes were needed to elect a new pope.
As soon as voting is done, the paper used in it is burned. If the smoke from burning the paper comes black from the chimney of the chapel, it is certain that the assembly has not reached an agreement. When white smoke rises from the chimney of the chapel, it is established that a new pope has been elected.
This time black smoke came after the first election on May 7 and white smoke came out on May 8. It was then announced that the Vatican Council had elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as 'Pope Leo 14'.
Cardinal Renato Martino from the Caucus of the Vatican said, "Hobemus Papam". That means we got a new Pope. Robert Francis Prevost is the first American pope to be elected the new pope of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. The Vatican had a long-standing tradition of not choosing the pope from American cardinals. But Pope Leo XIV managed to break down that wall.
Cardinal Robert's choice of the name 'Leo XIV' is also seen as meaningful. The name 'Pope Leo' was last used in the 19th century. That Pope did many things for social reform. He raised his voice against problems like exploitation of workers during the industrial revolution. Catholics have come to expect progressive parentage from Pope Leo XIV as well.
Pope Leo addressed the excited crowd of more than 60,000 who stood outside the chapel in Vatican City to interview the new pope from the balcony. His first sentence was - 'May peace be with everyone here.' He added - 'May this wish of peace reach your heart, reach your family, wherever there are people, reach everyone. spread all over the world. I want a Catholic Church where peace and love always prevail. Be always close, especially to those who are suffering.
69-year-old Pope Leo has a bachelor's degree in mathematics. After that, he also received formal education in theology and canon law. He was also involved in the teaching service in Peru for decades. Besides, he has also taken the experience of being a priest in life.
Pope Leo, born in Chicago, USA, was very close to the late Pope Francis. Pope Leo is seen as a progressive thinker. Many of his views on the environment and immigration are similar to those of the late Pope Francis.
Pope Francis dedicated his life to human consciousness above religious authority and power. He never sought to prove himself above the common man. Because of his simple behavior, he became beloved by all religious people.
