In the Vatican City, a white smoke is being raised from the chimney of Sistin Chappell. This means that Catholic Church cardins have chosen the next Pope. On Thursday, senior cardinals at St. Peters Square announced that the US Robert Prevost would be the new Pope of the Catholic Church and will be named Pope Leo XIV. Robert Prevost is the first American Pope.
About 70 minutes after the white smoke rises from the chimney of the cystine chapel, the Pope Leo appeared in the central balcony of the St. Peters Basilica. It then became clear that 133 cardinal electors have elected a new leader for the Catholic Church. Robert Prevost’s name as the new Pope was announced by French Cardinal Dominic Member. He told thousands of people gathered at St. Peters Square, “We have a pope.”
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Who is Robert Prevost?
Robert Prevost, 69, is originally from Chicago. Prevost spent most of his careers as a missionary in Peru and became cardinals in 2023. He has given very few media interviews and rarely speaks publicly. After Francis’s death, Leo became the 267th Catholic Pope. Pope Francis was the first Latin American Pope and led the Catholic Church for 12 years.
What is the process of selection of the Pope?
According to the Catholic tradition, the new Pope is selected at the Pope conference. It selects cardinal pope from all over the world. Cardinals are the priest of the highest position in the Catholic Church. Cardinals are bishops and vatic officers from all over the world, who are individually chosen by the Pope. At a conference, these cardinals hold several meetings to choose a new pope.
Voting for the new Pope will be held at Systin Chappell of Vatican City. Cardinals below 80 years of age have the right to vote. The entire voting and meeting process is kept secret. During this period, cardinals are not allowed to have any contact with the outside world. Cardinals vote by secret voting. Voting takes place in four stages every day and continues until the candidate gets two-thirds votes. This process begins with a special morning assembly, where 120 cardinals gather in the cystine chapel. These 120 cardinals choose a new Pope.
After this important meeting, the cardinal asks everyone to go. Earlier, these cardinals take oath of secrecy and limit themselves to the conclave until the new Pope is elected.
