The Vatican says the cardinals will start voting for a new Pope on May 7. They'll meet in the Sistine Chapel after nine days of funeral Masses for Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. His burial happened Saturday at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, marking the start of what Catholics call an empty seat period.
Workers broke the Pope's ring and seal to prevent anyone from using them for church papers. Of all 252 cardinals, only 135 under age 80 can vote in this election. These voters come mostly from Europe with 53 cardinals, Asia with 23, North America with 20, Africa with 18, South America with 17, and Oceania with 4.
Italy leads with 17 voting cardinals, America has 10, Brazil has 7, and Britain has 3. The cardinals need a two-thirds majority to elect someone. They'll cast one vote the first afternoon and four votes daily after that until they decide. Black smoke means no decision, white smoke signals they picked a new Pope.
If three days pass with no choice, cardinals take one day off for prayer and talks. The voters stay locked inside Vatican City throughout the entire process until they select a new church leader.
Workers broke the Pope's ring and seal to prevent anyone from using them for church papers. Of all 252 cardinals, only 135 under age 80 can vote in this election. These voters come mostly from Europe with 53 cardinals, Asia with 23, North America with 20, Africa with 18, South America with 17, and Oceania with 4.
Italy leads with 17 voting cardinals, America has 10, Brazil has 7, and Britain has 3. The cardinals need a two-thirds majority to elect someone. They'll cast one vote the first afternoon and four votes daily after that until they decide. Black smoke means no decision, white smoke signals they picked a new Pope.
If three days pass with no choice, cardinals take one day off for prayer and talks. The voters stay locked inside Vatican City throughout the entire process until they select a new church leader.
