For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has chosen its leaders at the Vatican during private gatherings known as conclaves.
Much secrecy surrounds the current conclave scheduled to begin on March 12 and the historic votes for a new Pope. But this conclave will be well-watched as it happens after the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
Celeb buzz
Brad Pitt reveals he was using drugs while married to Aniston.
The juicy details
20 poor stars
Sinbad is dirt broke and has recently filed for bankruptcy.
Penniless celebs
Examiner.com is a content destination powered by over 100,000+ independent contributors. Every week our contributors post thousands of informative and entertaining articles designed to feed your curiosity on the subjects that you crave.
![Inside the Sistine Chapel, paper ballots are passed out to each cardinal, who writes the name of their chosen candidate below the words "Eligo in Summen Pontificem", which is Latin for "I elect as supreme pontiff". When the vote is complete, each cardinal walks to an altar to ceremoniously place his folded ballot into a chalice. The votes are then read to the cardinals.If a cardinal receives two-thirds of the vote, he becomes the new pope. If that doesn't happen, the vote is repeated one more time that day.If there is still no pope, another vote is held. There can be up to four votes a day -- two in the morning and two in the afternoon -- which will be held on the second and third days of the conclave if a pope is not elected.The fourth day is set aside to break for prayer and discussion, and then voting can continue for an additional seven rounds. After that, there's another break and the pattern resumes.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/3a/1a/1362809435_6833_pope%202.jpg?itok=OHt4GKcQ "Inside the Sistine Chapel, paper ballots are passed out to each cardinal, who writes the name of their chosen candidate below the words "Eligo in Summen Pontificem", which is Latin for "I elect as supreme pontiff". When the vote is complete, each cardinal walks to an altar to ceremoniously place his folded ballot into a chalice. The votes are then read to the cardinals.If a cardinal receives two-thirds of the vote, he becomes the new pope. If that doesn't happen, the vote is repeated one more time that day.If there is still no pope, another vote is held. There can be up to four votes a day -- two in the morning and two in the afternoon -- which will be held on the second and third days of the conclave if a pope is not elected.The fourth day is set aside to break for prayer and discussion, and then voting can continue for an additional seven rounds. After that, there's another break and the pattern resumes."){kind=small}
![Inside the Sistine Chapel, paper ballots are passed out to each cardinal, who writes the name of their chosen candidate below the words "Eligo in Summen Pontificem", which is Latin for "I elect as supreme pontiff". When the vote is complete, each cardinal walks to an altar to ceremoniously place his folded ballot into a chalice. The votes are then read to the cardinals.If a cardinal receives two-thirds of the vote, he becomes the new pope. If that doesn't happen, the vote is repeated one more time that day.If there is still no pope, another vote is held. There can be up to four votes a day -- two in the morning and two in the afternoon -- which will be held on the second and third days of the conclave if a pope is not elected.The fourth day is set aside to break for prayer and discussion, and then voting can continue for an additional seven rounds. After that, there's another break and the pattern resumes.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/3a/1a/1362809435_6833_pope%202.jpg?itok=QO9Yf-Ci "Inside the Sistine Chapel, paper ballots are passed out to each cardinal, who writes the name of their chosen candidate below the words "Eligo in Summen Pontificem", which is Latin for "I elect as supreme pontiff". When the vote is complete, each cardinal walks to an altar to ceremoniously place his folded ballot into a chalice. The votes are then read to the cardinals.If a cardinal receives two-thirds of the vote, he becomes the new pope. If that doesn't happen, the vote is repeated one more time that day.If there is still no pope, another vote is held. There can be up to four votes a day -- two in the morning and two in the afternoon -- which will be held on the second and third days of the conclave if a pope is not elected.The fourth day is set aside to break for prayer and discussion, and then voting can continue for an additional seven rounds. After that, there's another break and the pattern resumes.")
![Within 30 to 60 minutes after the white smoke appears, the new pope will appear on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran will announce the words "Habemus Papum" , which is Latin for "We have a pope" and introduce the new leader by his chosen papal name.The new pope will then speak briefly and say a prayer. His formal coronation will take place days after his election. ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/43/c9/1362809435_9630_pope%204.jpg?itok=PGDfl1dl "Within 30 to 60 minutes after the white smoke appears, the new pope will appear on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran will announce the words "Habemus Papum" , which is Latin for "We have a pope" and introduce the new leader by his chosen papal name.The new pope will then speak briefly and say a prayer. His formal coronation will take place days after his election. ")
Comments