How a New Pope is Elected

RAPPLER A NEW POPE IS ELECTED Cardinals fill out a rectangular ballot in secret. Each cardinal then approaches the altar, recites an oath that he voted with prudence, and places his ballot in a receptacle. Three scrutineers count the ballots. A candidate needs two-thirds of votes to get elected. 2 A scrutineer then strings the ballot together. Three revisers double-check the scrutineers' work. igo in Summ 3 Cardinals burn the ballots. Outside the Sistine Chapel, black smoke will indicate a pope has not been elected, and cardinals have to repeat the voting process If white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel, this is a signal that the Catholic Church has a new pope The Cardinal Dean asks the elected date: "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?" Once the latter has consented, he is also asked: "By what name do you want to be called?" 6 For the first time, the new pope wears the papal vestments in the Room of Tears. In this room, the pope is said to weep at the burden of his new responsibility. "Habemus Papam!" The newly elected pope greets the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, and holds a solemn inaugural Mass SOURCE: UNIVERSI DOMINICI GREGIS / GRAPHICS BY EMILMERCADO