Pope Francis died this morning at 7:30am Rome time - that would be 1:30am our time. He was out yesterday for Easter Sunday. Maybe it was the meeting with JD Vance that triggered this.
There was no news in the Globe, because he died after publication. A series of "rituals and procedures" follows. Like the Queen's death. Pomp and circumstance from centuries past.
That's where the word "conclave" comes in. Does anyone else have secret meetings called conclaves? It was first used in the late 14th century for cardinals to meet to elect a pope. Secret process is key. I wonder how secret as it seems to be described in detail. OK the secret is the vote part each time. This from the Guardian:
"Once the cardinals are assembled in Rome, usually 15-20 days after the pope’s death, they gather under Michelangelo’s magnificent painted ceiling in the Sistine Chapel to begin their deliberations. After the words extra omnes – everyone out – are declared, referring to all but voting cardinals and a handful of officials and doctors, the doors are locked.
The cardinals swear an oath of absolute secrecy, and are permitted no contact with the outside world for the duration of the election process. Their phones are removed, and no newspapers, television, letters or messages are allowed. The chapel is also swept for listening devices before and during the conclave."
"The cardinals sleep and eat in a purpose-built hostel, St Martha’s house, near the Sistine Chapel, where Pope Francis has lived for the past 12 years.
The conclave begins with a celebration of mass, after which deliberations and voting begins. Votes are taken each day, morning and afternoon, until a candidate wins a two-thirds majority. There is a day’s break for prayer and reflection after every seven ballots. If there is no conclusive result after 30 ballots, a candidate will be elected on a simple majority. The longest papal conclave in recent history was 1922, when the cardinals took five days to choose their new leader."
"After each round of voting, the ballot cards are burned. Chemicals are added to make the smoke black or white. Black smoke emerging from the 60ft chimney indicates an inconclusive ballot; white smoke announces to the world that a new pope has been elected."
There have been 8 popes in my lifetime so far. One, John Paul I was elected in August 1978 and died in September. A brief moment, it seems.
Here's one of those shining light, religious sorts of images.
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