INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
age of 80 - will take part and vote for the new pontiff.The rituals of the event, held in the Sistine Chapel, are elaborate and date back
ring and seal - used to dispatch papal documents - were broken to prevent anyone else from using them.Cardinal Kevin Farrell - the
Rome from all over the world and stay until a new pope is chosen.Of the 252 current ones, there are 135 cardinal electors: 53 from Europe;
23 from Asia; 20 from North America; 18 from Africa; 17 from South America; and four from Oceania.Italy has the most cardinals who can vote,
with 17, while the US has 10 and Brazil has seven
The UK has three.Once the conclave begins, the cardinals will not emerge from the Vatican until a new pope has been chosen
almost three years, between 1268 and 1271
Several have lasted only one day
The one which elected Pope John Paul in 1978 lasted less than three days
Cardinals chose Pope Francis in around two days.While the conclave is ongoing, cardinals are unable to communicate with the outside world
No telephones, internet use or newspapers are allowed.Except for the first day, when only one ballot is held, the cardinals hold two daily
votes until one candidate has a majority of two-thirds plus one
They are sworn to secrecy about the voting.White smoke?So how do we know if a decision has been reached? Yes, this is the black smoke, white
smoke part.If the cardinals have not reached a majority, the cards and the tally sheets are placed in a stove and burned with an additive to
produce black smoke, showing the outside world that a pope has not yet been chosen.Watching for the tell-tale smoke arising from the top of
three days, the sessions are suspended for a day to allow for prayer and discussion
More ballots are held until a two-thirds majority is reached.When enough cardinals have agreed on a candidate, he is asked if he accepts the
papacy and by which name he wishes to be known.The ballots are burned as before, but with an additive to produce white smoke.New pope
papal ministry.Source: Sky News--Agencies
