Conclave: Visual guide to the papal election and its secret process

Conclave: Visual guide to the papal election and its secret process

For centuries, the leader of the Catholic Church has been elected in a highly secret meeting known as a "conclave" - ​​derived from the Latin word "cum clave," meaning "with key." This term refers to the fact that the cardinals used to be locked up until a new pope was elected. The cardinals, who are tasked with electing the next pontiff, follow a complex process that has its roots in the Middle Ages.

The modern rituals of the conclave

The rituals as we know them today were revised by successive popes over the centuries. Most of the modern rules that cardinals follow were substantially revised by John Paul II in the 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, with some further adjustments by Benedict XVI.

The process of the papal election

Once the date is set, the cardinal electors proceed to the conclave site - the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. A candidate needs two-thirds of the votes cast to be elected.

A competition of ideologies

In this conclave, that as Battle There are many factors at play between cardinals who want to continue Pope Francis' reforms and vision and those who want to slow down and correct course.

The ceremony and the first apostolic blessing

After the election, the new pope steps out onto the balcony, framed by red curtains, and gives his first apostolic blessing, known as “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”). This marks the end of the complex electoral process of the conclave. In the following days, the new pope will attend his inauguration mass, usually held in St. Peter's Church, before assuming his duties as head of the Catholic Church.

This article was created with assistance from CNN reporter Lauren Kent.