What role does the black and white smoke have to choose a new pope?
“Fumata Bianca” or white smoke means the successful choice of a new pope. Each time a vote is taken, smoke rises from the Sixtin chapel. If the vote is unmatched and the verdict of a new pope has not been reached, the smoke is black. If a pope has been chosen, it is white – and means that the new pope will soon present itself to the city of the Vatican.
How long does the choice of the Pope take?
A conclave will last until a single candidate receives at least two -thirds of the vote from the pool of eligible cardinals, with a typical four votes thrown every day. Pope Franci’s election lasted for about 28 hours, or two days, before being announced as Benedict XVI’s successor. The longest conclave was ever held in 1268, which lasted for 34 months.
When was the last time a new pope was chosen?
The choice of a new pope usually occurs only after the death of a previous pope. However, Pope Francis had been selected Under extraordinary circumstances. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI had resigned from the position – the first to resign from the pavamion since then Gregory XII 1415, and the first to do it voluntarily since Celestine v 1294.
At that time, Benedict – who died in 2022 at the age of 95 – said in a statement about his departure from the Vatican, ”Both the strength of the mind and the body are necessary, strength that has deteriorated in me in recent months to the extent that I have had to recognize my inability to sufficiently fulfill the ministry which was entrusted to me. “
