Decoding the Vatican: Key Terms in the Papal Transition
Briefly

The transition from one pope to the next, following the recent death of Pope Francis, is steeped in centuries-old traditions and processes. Known as a conclave, a meeting of cardinals will begin next month to elect the new pope through secret ballots. This process can take weeks or months, as it requires a two-thirds majority. The College of Cardinals, comprising 252 cardinals, plays a pivotal role in this election. Terms like 'conclave' and the role of the dean highlight the structure of this age-old tradition, which is crucial to the leadership of over a billion Catholics worldwide.
The election of a new pope is likely to play out over weeks or months as the College of Cardinals makes their decision in a conclave.
The term conclave comes from the Latin for 'with key,' referring to the isolation of cardinals as they vote in secrecy to elect a new pope.
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