How will the new Pope be determined? The smoke color detail

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics and Head of State of the Vatican, passed away this morning at 07:35 local time.

In a video announcement, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who holds a high-level position at the Vatican, stated, "Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sadness that I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis."

The passing of Pope Francis has brought with it the question of how the Catholic Church's new spiritual leader will be determined. This process, which the whole world follows with curiosity, operates according to strict rules and deep-rooted traditions that have not changed for centuries.

HOW IS THE POPE ELECTED?

The pope, the highest authority in the Catholic world, is elected by the College of Cardinals. The vast majority of the cardinals in this college consist of individuals who serve as bishops and were appointed by the pope himself.

However, cardinals who will vote in the election must not be over the age of 80. This rule has been in effect since 1975.

The meeting held to determine the new pope is called a "conclave." Derived from the Latin phrase "cum clave" (locked with a key), this term refers to the cardinals gathering in the Sistine Chapel, completely isolated from the outside world throughout the election process.

During this process, the cardinals stay at the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence within the Vatican and cannot have any contact with the outside world.

THE COLOR OF THE SMOKE INDICATES THE RESULT

During the conclave process, secret ballots are held four times a day. After each vote, the ballots are burned in a special stove. The color of the smoke announces the result of the election to the whole world:

Black smoke means that a decision has not yet been reached.

White smoke announces that a new pope has been elected.

When the new pope is elected, he is asked, "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?" If he accepts, he is asked by what name he wishes to be called. Following this historic moment, he appears before the public from the famous balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with the words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope). The new spiritual leader then officially begins his tenure by delivering his first address to the public there.