Voting for new pope begins today

The Sistine Chapel is the place where the new Pope is being selected
The Sistine Chapel is the place where the new Pope is being selected

The work to choose who will be the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics begins in earnest today (Tuesday).

Technically any male Roman Catholic can be elected Pope but since 1379, the leaders of the Church have been chosen in the Vatican at special gatherings of the College of Cardinals known as conclaves.

Conclaves are historically shrouded in secrecy but this one has an added dimension. This is the first conclave to be convened in 600 years in response to the resignation of a Pope.

When the time comes to select a new Pope every Cardinal, under 80, from around the world travel to Rome. This time around 115 of them will vote for the new Pope.

Once inside the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave is held, paper ballots are passed out to each cardinal, who writes the name of their chosen candidate below the words “Eligo in Summen Pontificem” (Latin for “I elect as supreme pontiff”).

After that each cardinal, in order of seniority, walks up to the altar to place his ballot in a chalice. The votes are counted and the results read.

If a cardinal receives a two-third majority, he becomes Pope.

If there is no majority, the voting begins again: as much as four rounds of voting per day.

This can go on for as many days but on the fifth day the cardinals take a break for prayer and discussion. Then the voting resumes.

No one, except the cardinals, can get into the Sistine Chapel during a conclave but the faithful waiting outside can know if a new Pope has been chosen by looking at smoke coming from a chimney on the Vatican’s roof. Ballots from the the voting are burnt, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. If a pope is not chosen, the ballots are burnt with a chemical that turn the smoke black.

If the smoke is white, everyone knows that a new Pope has been selected.

About 60 minutes after the white smoke, the new Pope appears on a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square and the announcement, which has been repeated for centuries, “Habemus Papam” (Latin for “We have a Pope”), is heard.

The new Pope will then say a few words and a prayer.

His coronation takes place a few days later.

In the age of 24-hour news and relatively accurate polls running up to elections, the truth is the outcome of the conclave is impossible to predict and no one knows who is going to be the new Pope.

However, the issues facing the new Pope are of no secret. Many argue that the adminstrative body of the church, the Curia, needs a good shake up. The church has been rocked by a series of sex scandals that have tarnished its image. Congregations in Europe are getting smaller while the church is growing in leaps and bounds in developing countries with fewer men joining the priesthood to cater for their spiritual needs.

These are some of the issues facing the new Pope and in the meantime millions of Catholics around the world wait.

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14 Comments

  1. Justice and Truth
    March 13, 2013

    In defense of the Catholic Church and the Priests
    To begin with Christians should never condone sin. The Catholic Church does not condone sin. What the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church and the priests will not state I, as a member of the Catholic Church, the laity will state it like it is and speak on their behalf. As the religious song, “Christ has no feet and hands on earth but our own.” He expects us to carry on his works on earth.
    A Church consists of imperfect human beings who are by far imperfect. I have always stated, otherwise Our Lord Jesus Christ would not have left us a Church. The sad part is that some are not practicing the faith as they should, being loving, kind, gracious, etc. according to the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
    The Catholic Church is holy even though its members are not holy for it was established by Our Lord Jesus Christ in the year 33 AD. I like to say some are more imperfect than others. Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us “Be perfect and merciful as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” This is not found in the Media, specifically the overseas ones and some other people even those who claim to be church-going Christians of all .
    The Media keep harping on the fallen priests and stating that the Catholic Church, the Pope did nothing about it. How do you know? If you are the leader of a Church, if you operate an organization or a business, do you go about blabbing your mouth and informing the entire world what steps you have taken to improve the situation? If your employee did not honor their positions and for the progress of your business would you fire him/her? You would be rather stupid to do so unless it has brought much harm to your business. You keep your mouth shut amidst criticisms.
    The Church is not a secular institution. Our duty is to help people, not demean them and caste them and throw them aside. Consider the situation of the Catholic Church when the actions of the fallen priests came to light. Consider the shock of the pope, the bishops, the good priests including the genuine practicing laity. Do you opt out and say that you will leave the Catholic Church because of the fallen priests?
    Who established the Catholic Church? It was Our Lord himself who said to Peter, “Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build My Church…” Therefore, you are turning your back on Our Lord himself. Some people, as much as they practice the faith and pray they are not spiritually enlightened to know this. Ask God for graces when you pray. The Mother of God, the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary said, “Many graces are there for us but we do not ask for them.” This is printed in the book, The Secret of the Rosary written by St. Louis de Montfort. It is not sufficient going to church. We must cultivate our faith and read relevant information to enhance our knowledge and spirituality. Cease viewing soap operas and the likes of other non-religious programs. These are not faith-builders. God knows this too.
    Our Lady also said to a visionary: “I tell you to turn off the television and follow the path that God has set for you.”
    Where there is godliness there is also the devil trying his utmost to tear the Church down. How does he do it? In the hearts, minds and actions of those who love God, who are closer to Him and who stand a chance of obtaining eternal salvation, the mere fact that they are still alive.
    Satan, the detractor and destroyer of souls has forfeited his right to God’s Kingdom due to disobedience and rebelliousness. He roams the world seeking whom he may devour for his eternal cauldron of everlasting fire. He also imbeds adverse thoughts and words in the hearts of even those who say they are practicing Christians who speak evil against the Catholic Church and the priests. It is also generated through their fingers on the keyboard. Do you think they love God? By no means as they deceive themselves. It is evident that those who love God will only practice and do what is holy and pleasing to God.
    Therefore, there are two forces, one of God, the Good and one of his enemy, the enemy of our souls, the Evil One. Christians should know that because they are all weaklings who are liable to fall into sin, some, in a worst manner. As long as we are alive the battle is not yet worn. We are not yet saved. We have to keep trying to perfect ourselves. The saying, “If at first we do not succeed, try again.” God is always present to lift us up when we fall if only we sincerely turn to Him. He knows our sincerity.
    How does anyone know that the fallen priests did not ask God forgiveness? I am certain they did not rebel against God to the extent that Satan did and some people of the world are doing even those very Christians who when problems befall them they lose faith and fall away from it because their faith is tepid. Those priests were disobedient as everyone who does not adhere to God’s Commandments except in a different manner.
    People of the world are not perfect and so they must reminded of their sins especially when they lambaste others of theirs. Look at your sins and not that of the Catholic Church and the fallen priests. What is done is done and cannot be undone. Everything is taken care of. Measures have already been in place to deal with fallen priests. You can rest assured that what happened in the past will not happen again. If it does, the Church is now experienced to immediately deal with those who do not adhere to their consecrated vows.
    How are you dealing with your marriage vows and other vows? This is what people must concern themselves about for when we die God will not ask us about other adults who sinned and went astray but about ourselves, how well we served him on earth. Ensure that your children are appropriately nurtured and in the Lord and that you live a perfect life in the Lord. In addition be fair and just. Treat others as you expect them to treat you. These are the conditions for appeasing God and obtaining eternal salvation. It will not only be by reading and vehemently preaching the Holy Bible.
    This information is free of charge. As you can see, I could write a book on this and more. It is agift from God. It will happen in time with the help of God.

  2. Justice and Truth
    March 13, 2013

    I am eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Conclave. It is an exciting time for the Catholic Church, its members.
    Toronto has a wonderful, friendly Cardinal. He is in Rome at this moment. He is originally from Alberta, Canada. Soon after he arrived in Toronto as Archbishop of the Toronto Archdiocese, he became a Cardinal.
    After he assumed his duties in Toronto he visited every parish to meet with the parish Priests and parishioners. I had the opportunity of meeting him, Cardinal Collins, and wished him well after Holy Mass at a reception which was held in the Church hall. He had celebrated the Mass.
    Occasionally I reflect on this. In August 2011 I attended the funeral of his predecessor. As I was entering the Church, St. Michael’s Cathedral in downtown Toronto, the priests were all lined up outside in their impeccable beige cassock waiting to enter the Church in procession. Cardinal Collins was the last in line of course. As I passed by something (my mind) prompted me to quickly say to him, “Good Morning Archbishop and how are you today.” He replied. I entered the Church feeling happy that I thought of greeting him. I am certain that it also made him happy at a time like that which was not a happy one.
    I could not stop. The Church was already crowded. I made it in and was fortunate to get a seat; many people did not get a seat. Some were standing outside. Priests from all over Ontario and elsewhere attended, including dignitaries, the family of the late Archbishop, many nuns and parishioners from all over Toronto. We had to stand in line to wait our turn, to be ushered in. Therefore under the circumstances it was a quick greeting.
    Another Cardinal’s name, Ouelette was also mentioned as a future Pope. He is from Quebec.
    The Canadian TV Media are having a field day as I call it with all their speculations and reporting as usual.
    His name is constantly mentioned as a frontrunner.
    I wished that Cardinal Collins would be fortunate to be Pope (in capital letters) :). He is well-liked among parishioners. I do not know if he wants this position but if per chance he is chosen by The Holy Spirit, he will have no choice but to accept.
    There is another wonderful, friendly Cardinal in New York, Cardinal Dolan. I have seen him a few times on EWTN. I think that he would also make a good Pope.
    Catholics must pray that God gives us another good, holy, traditional and friendly Pope. As a Catholic I am praying for this. May one be chosen soon.
    Since Easter will soon be here (how time flies), the Cardinals who do not reside in Rome would like to return to their place of residence by next week. The Catholic Church should have a Pope before Easter. The speculation is that by Friday this week we will have a Pope. I hope. It all rests with the Blessed Trinity. Catholic members, let us pray for this to happen soon. God bless!

  3. hmmm
    March 13, 2013

    I often wonder if there were any alleged abuse in Dominica? Or were they too scared to come forward? Were they covered up? Just wondering?

  4. river
    March 12, 2013

    i know we will all love the chosen pope

  5. A Voice
    March 12, 2013

    Ha, one rogue goes out another comes in?

    First pope in 600 years to resign from the papacy, I wonder why? What are they not telling the public?

    I would have prefered to see an article on the history of the papacy, then you’d understand why I call them fellas rogues.

    Revelation reveals that Rome have to fall man so all their lavish ceremonies ain’t doing a thing for men’s souls…

    • Justice and Truth
      March 13, 2013

      Where have you been when the news was broadcasted and the Media of the entire world carried it? This information has been dominating the news.
      Do you not listen to and read the news? To satisfy you, he has health issues. His doctor advised him not to travel to especially distant lands. You must read the news. Better yet, access http://www.ewtn.com and Catholic Radio including Catholic articles as The Catholic Register and others. You will get the truth of the matter. It is not hearsay or hand-me-down news. Make it your business to keep abreast of current events but the truth.

    • ti nom
      March 13, 2013

      muslim, christian, jewish, rasta etc…all religion have their good and bad, lets just pray that whoever the new pope is he will do well for us all including our faithful in d.a

    • hmm
      March 13, 2013

      Rouge calling people rouge.

      • A Voice
        March 13, 2013

        It is rogue not rouge…

  6. Anonymous
    March 12, 2013

    Good article

  7. RCChild
    March 12, 2013

    Please cast your vote in the eye of the child

  8. BLACKMAN
    March 12, 2013

    Blackman for pope! Blackman!

    • Justice and Truth
      March 13, 2013

      God will decide that in his time. :lol:

  9. Skeptic
    March 12, 2013

    LOL

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