Papal Conclave Begins Following Pope Francis's Death

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican has initiated the traditional process for selecting a new pope, known as the papal conclave, which takes place in the Sistine Chapel behind closed doors. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and although technically any baptized male Catholic could be chosen, modern popes have always been cardinals. The process is highly secretive, with cardinals taking an oath of confidentiality and the chapel being physically sealed off during voting. The selection involves multiple rounds of secret ballots, with consensus-building and informal discussions among cardinals influencing the outcome. The election result is signaled to the world using colored smoke: black for no decision and white for a successful election, with the Vatican now using a precise chemical method to avoid confusion. This process is guided not only by spiritual considerations but also by theological, regional, and political factors as cardinals weigh the needs and direction of the global Catholic Church.