With the news of the death of Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the world’s Catholics, the world’s attention has once again turned to the Vatican and the complex and unique process of choosing his successor.
Publish dateTuesday 22 April 2025 - 08:54
Story Code : 313518
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the 2,000-year-old Catholic Church, died today after a long illness. Founded by Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ and the first pope, Catholic Christianity has always been known for its great order. However, this powerful organization has also faced challenges over the years. In recent decades, unpleasant news has leaked from within the church that has made the need for fundamental reforms more apparent than ever. Pope Francis, recognizing this need, has put several reforms on the agenda.
Pope Francis has initiated a series of reforms to transform the church. These measures were aimed at enhancing transparency, fighting corruption, and bringing the church closer to the people. Among the most important of these reforms are the following:
The pope sought to make the Roman Curia, the church’s central administrative body, more efficient and accountable. To this end, he established councils of cardinals to advise on reforms and made changes to the structure and functions of the various bodies of the Roman Curia. Pope Francis has fought against sexual abuse in the church and supported victims, although his efforts have not been entirely successful. The creation of reporting mechanisms, investigations, and punishment of offenders were part of these efforts.
Pope Francis has sought to promote dialogue between different religions and cultures. His visit to Iraq and his meeting with Grand Ayatollah Sistani were an example of this approach. During this meeting, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani strongly supported the Palestinian cause and emphasized the need to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Despite all the Pope's actions, as he should have and perhaps deserved as the leader of the world's Catholics, Pope Francis failed to play a role in these years when there are devastating wars in every corner of the world and the world witnessed one of the most brutal genocides in human history in the Gaza issue, and he was completely far from influencing these issues.
The beginning of the election era; the process of determining the new leader of the world's Catholics
With the announcement of the death of Pope Francis, the 266th Catholic leader of the world, the world's attention has once again been focused on the Vatican and the complex and unique process of choosing his successor. This process, known as the "Papal Conclave", is a set of precise rituals and procedures designed to ensure the selection of a consensus-based individual to lead the Catholic Church.
1. The period of power vacuum (Sede Vacante): With the death of Pope Francis, a period called the "Sede Vacante" or "Empty Seat" begins. During this period, the power and authority of the Pope are temporarily transferred to the Cardinal Camerlengo, currently held by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the highest administrative official of the Church during a power vacuum. The Cardinal Camerlengo is responsible for managing the current affairs of the Vatican and preparing for the conclave to elect a Pope. He must officially confirm the death of the Pope and announce it to the public. He is also responsible for breaking the official seals of the Pope and closing the doors and windows of the Papal residence to prevent unauthorized entry.
2. Funeral and mourning period: After the death of the Pope is confirmed, a magnificent funeral is held, attended by religious and political dignitaries from around the world. According to tradition, the funeral usually takes place between four and six days after the death of the Pope, followed by a nine-day period of mourning (Novemdiales). During this period, a memorial service is held for the deceased Pope and the cardinals have the opportunity to discuss the state of the Church and its needs.
3. Preparations for the conclave: During the period of the vacuum, Cardinal Comer Lengo, in collaboration with the various Vatican institutions, makes the necessary preparations for the conclave. These preparations include preparing the venue for the conclave (the Sistine Chapel), verifying the qualifications of the electing cardinals, and ensuring the security and confidentiality of the conclave.
4. Composition and conditions of the electing cardinals: Only cardinals under the age of 80 are entitled to participate in the conclave and vote. The number of electing cardinals should not exceed 120, although in practice this number may be slightly more or less. The electing cardinals are invited to the Vatican from all over the world and are accommodated in the Domus Sanctae Marthae during the conclave.
5. Entrance to the Conclave and Oath of Secrecy: On the appointed day, the electing cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel for a formal ceremony of entrance to the conclave. Upon entering the chapel, the cardinals take an oath of secrecy, pledging to keep all information about the conclave confidential. After taking the oath, the doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed to the public, and only the electing cardinals and a few service personnel are allowed to enter the chapel.
6. Voting Process: The voting process in the conclave is very meticulous and orderly. The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel every morning and afternoon, and a maximum of four rounds of voting are held each day. Each cardinal writes his or her preferred candidate on a ballot paper and folds it. Then, in order of seniority, they go to the altar and place their ballot in a special container.
In recent decades, unpleasant news has leaked from within the Church that has made the need for fundamental reforms even more apparent
7. Reaching the Quorum and Announcing the Election of the Pope: To elect a new pope, a candidate must obtain at least two-thirds of the votes of the cardinal electors. If no candidate obtains this quorum in any of the rounds of voting, voting continues until one person obtains the required majority. After the pope is elected, the cardinal presiding over the conclave asks him whether he accepts the election. If he accepts, the new pope takes his papal name.
8. White Smoke and Habemus Papam: After the pope is elected, the ballots are burned. If no candidate can reach the required quorum, the ballots are mixed with chemicals to produce black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. This black smoke indicates that a new pope has not yet been elected. However, if a new pope is elected, the ballots are burned without chemicals, and white smoke is emitted from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. This white smoke is a sign to the world that a new pope has been elected.
After the white smoke has been emitted, the Cardinal Presiding Bishop appears from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and announces the name of the new pope and his papal title by saying the words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope). The new pope then addresses the people from the balcony of the church and inspects them.
9. Beginning of the new papal era: With the election of the new pope, the period of power vacuum ends and his era of leadership begins. The new pope assumes responsibility for leading the Catholic Church and representing it worldwide.
Source: Mehr News Agency
Pope Francis has initiated a series of reforms to transform the church. These measures were aimed at enhancing transparency, fighting corruption, and bringing the church closer to the people. Among the most important of these reforms are the following:
The pope sought to make the Roman Curia, the church’s central administrative body, more efficient and accountable. To this end, he established councils of cardinals to advise on reforms and made changes to the structure and functions of the various bodies of the Roman Curia. Pope Francis has fought against sexual abuse in the church and supported victims, although his efforts have not been entirely successful. The creation of reporting mechanisms, investigations, and punishment of offenders were part of these efforts.
Pope Francis has sought to promote dialogue between different religions and cultures. His visit to Iraq and his meeting with Grand Ayatollah Sistani were an example of this approach. During this meeting, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani strongly supported the Palestinian cause and emphasized the need to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Despite all the Pope's actions, as he should have and perhaps deserved as the leader of the world's Catholics, Pope Francis failed to play a role in these years when there are devastating wars in every corner of the world and the world witnessed one of the most brutal genocides in human history in the Gaza issue, and he was completely far from influencing these issues.
The beginning of the election era; the process of determining the new leader of the world's Catholics
With the announcement of the death of Pope Francis, the 266th Catholic leader of the world, the world's attention has once again been focused on the Vatican and the complex and unique process of choosing his successor. This process, known as the "Papal Conclave", is a set of precise rituals and procedures designed to ensure the selection of a consensus-based individual to lead the Catholic Church.
1. The period of power vacuum (Sede Vacante): With the death of Pope Francis, a period called the "Sede Vacante" or "Empty Seat" begins. During this period, the power and authority of the Pope are temporarily transferred to the Cardinal Camerlengo, currently held by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the highest administrative official of the Church during a power vacuum. The Cardinal Camerlengo is responsible for managing the current affairs of the Vatican and preparing for the conclave to elect a Pope. He must officially confirm the death of the Pope and announce it to the public. He is also responsible for breaking the official seals of the Pope and closing the doors and windows of the Papal residence to prevent unauthorized entry.
2. Funeral and mourning period: After the death of the Pope is confirmed, a magnificent funeral is held, attended by religious and political dignitaries from around the world. According to tradition, the funeral usually takes place between four and six days after the death of the Pope, followed by a nine-day period of mourning (Novemdiales). During this period, a memorial service is held for the deceased Pope and the cardinals have the opportunity to discuss the state of the Church and its needs.
3. Preparations for the conclave: During the period of the vacuum, Cardinal Comer Lengo, in collaboration with the various Vatican institutions, makes the necessary preparations for the conclave. These preparations include preparing the venue for the conclave (the Sistine Chapel), verifying the qualifications of the electing cardinals, and ensuring the security and confidentiality of the conclave.
4. Composition and conditions of the electing cardinals: Only cardinals under the age of 80 are entitled to participate in the conclave and vote. The number of electing cardinals should not exceed 120, although in practice this number may be slightly more or less. The electing cardinals are invited to the Vatican from all over the world and are accommodated in the Domus Sanctae Marthae during the conclave.
5. Entrance to the Conclave and Oath of Secrecy: On the appointed day, the electing cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel for a formal ceremony of entrance to the conclave. Upon entering the chapel, the cardinals take an oath of secrecy, pledging to keep all information about the conclave confidential. After taking the oath, the doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed to the public, and only the electing cardinals and a few service personnel are allowed to enter the chapel.
6. Voting Process: The voting process in the conclave is very meticulous and orderly. The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel every morning and afternoon, and a maximum of four rounds of voting are held each day. Each cardinal writes his or her preferred candidate on a ballot paper and folds it. Then, in order of seniority, they go to the altar and place their ballot in a special container.
In recent decades, unpleasant news has leaked from within the Church that has made the need for fundamental reforms even more apparent
7. Reaching the Quorum and Announcing the Election of the Pope: To elect a new pope, a candidate must obtain at least two-thirds of the votes of the cardinal electors. If no candidate obtains this quorum in any of the rounds of voting, voting continues until one person obtains the required majority. After the pope is elected, the cardinal presiding over the conclave asks him whether he accepts the election. If he accepts, the new pope takes his papal name.
8. White Smoke and Habemus Papam: After the pope is elected, the ballots are burned. If no candidate can reach the required quorum, the ballots are mixed with chemicals to produce black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. This black smoke indicates that a new pope has not yet been elected. However, if a new pope is elected, the ballots are burned without chemicals, and white smoke is emitted from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. This white smoke is a sign to the world that a new pope has been elected.
After the white smoke has been emitted, the Cardinal Presiding Bishop appears from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and announces the name of the new pope and his papal title by saying the words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope). The new pope then addresses the people from the balcony of the church and inspects them.
9. Beginning of the new papal era: With the election of the new pope, the period of power vacuum ends and his era of leadership begins. The new pope assumes responsibility for leading the Catholic Church and representing it worldwide.
Source: Mehr News Agency
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