Following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Vatican has announced that the official process of electing the next Pope, known as the Conclave, will be held on May (07).
This election, held within the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, is considered one of the most secretive elections on Earth.
“The conclave for the New Pope starts on the 7th of May”
For this papal election, 135 cardinals are eligible to vote, including 53 from Europe, 23 from Asia, 20 from North America, 18 from Africa, 17 from South America, and 4 from Oceania.
It is specified that cardinals coming from 71 countries around the world to participate in the papal election must be less than 80 years of age.
The Sistine Chapel has been closed since yesterday (28th) for the papal election, which is conducted in seclusion from the outside world. The ballot papers of the cardinals, who will be dressed in distinctive red robes to cast their votes, are burned and destroyed after the Pope is elected.
The outside world is informed of the election of a Pope by the smoke that emerges from the burning of the ballot papers. Accordingly, if white smoke emerges from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, it symbolizes that a new Pope has been elected by a two-thirds majority of the cardinals’ votes.
Ajith Weerasuriya
