Election Of Pope Process

To be elected pope one cardinal must receive at least two thirds of the votes.

Election of pope process. The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope. If there are more than thirty three votes without an election the pope may be chosen by a simple majority. The voting continues until a two thirds majority is reached for a candidate.

Concerns around political interference led to reforms after the interregnum of 1268 1271 and pope gregory x s decree during the second council of lyons. Upon the election of a new pope the smoke from the ballots will be white and bells will ring to announce a successful election. Except that under the new rules established by pope john paul ii if a certain number of ballots have taken place without any cardinal being elected pope then the cardinals may then elect by simple majority.

A papal conclave is a gathering of the college of cardinals convened to elect a bishop of rome also known as the pope the pope is considered by catholics to be the apostolic successor of saint peter and earthly head of the catholic church. Over the next 2 3 weeks certain rituals will take place and a successor to pope john paul ii will be chosen by the roman catholic electing cardinals. Basically the process will involve 5 steps.