Vatican Unveils New Chimney: What It Means for the Next Pope’s Selection

Workers have just fitted a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel in Rome. This chimney plays a vital role in signaling the election of the next pope.

Following the passing of Pope Francis last month, cardinals will meet on May 7 for a conclave. This closed-door gathering involves senior church leaders deciding who will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Only cardinals under 80 years old can vote, and there are currently 135 eligible electors.

During the conclave, the new chimney serves as the sole public indicator of progress. After the chapel ceremony begins, the doors lock, and detailed communication ceases, as Bry Jensen, host of the popular Pontifacts podcast, noted. “The verbal and communicative gates go down,” he said. “No words, just smoke.”

Cardinals vote until they reach a two-thirds majority on their choice. Each ballot is burned in a stove, producing either black or white smoke. Black smoke indicates disagreement, prompting more voting. White smoke, on the other hand, announces to the world that a new pope has been chosen, with chemicals creating the distinct colors.

Expect black smoke to billow from the chimney multiple times; it’s a part of the voting process. Kurt Martens, a canon law professor at the Catholic University of America, mentioned that the first round of voting often reveals the cardinals’ initial preferences rather than a clear decision. After the first evening, they conduct several votes each day until consensus is reached.

Historical patterns show that most conclaves held since the 1900s wrapped up in under four days. For instance, Pope Francis was elected on the second day of his conclave in 2013.

This process reflects a deep-rooted tradition within the church, rooted in centuries of electoral customs and symbolized by the chimney’s smoke. As the world awaits the news, observers can’t help but draw parallels to past conclaves, further emphasizing the significance of this moment in the Catholic Church’s history.

For more insights on the conclave and its implications, explore resources from NPR and The Catholic Church’s official website.

Source link