By Belize Live News Staff: Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church now turns to its ancient and deeply sacred process of electing a new spiritual leader. As a predominantly Catholic country, many Belizeans may be wondering—how exactly does the Church choose a new pope?
Here’s what happens next:
1. Cardinals Gather at the Vatican
The College of Cardinals, made up of senior church leaders from around the world, will soon begin arriving in Vatican City. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote in the election. These men are tasked with choosing the next Bishop of Rome—the new pope.
2. The Conclave Begins
Once all eligible cardinals are present, they will enter a conclave, a private gathering held inside the Sistine Chapel. The word conclave comes from Latin, meaning “with a key,” because the cardinals are literally locked inside until a decision is made. No phones, no communication with the outside world—just prayer, reflection, and voting.
3. The Secret Ballots
Voting is done in secret. Each cardinal writes down one name on a slip of paper. To be elected pope, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority. There can be multiple rounds of voting per day. If no pope is chosen, the process continues.
4. Smoke Signals
The world watches the chimney of the Sistine Chapel:
Black smoke means no decision has been made.
White smoke means a new pope has been elected.
This tradition has been used for centuries and is one of the most anticipated moments for Catholics worldwide—including here in Belize.
5. “Habemus Papam” – We Have a Pope!
Once someone is elected and accepts, he chooses a new name. Then, the Church announces the news from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the famous words:
“Habemus Papam” – “We have a Pope!”
The new pope then steps out to greet the faithful and begin his mission as the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics.
Belize, along with the rest of the world, now waits to see who will become the next head of the Roman Catholic Church.
