The cardinals have in front of them a list of their names and several ballots, rectangular pieces of paper with the words “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” — “I elect as Supreme Pontiff.” Each cardinal must write the name of his candidate in clear but disguised handwriting.
Does the Pope have to be a virgin?
Although the Pope still remains restricted to celibacy , the rule for priests in the Catholic Church is a topic of debate nowadays. With many believers and members of the church believing celibacy should be optional as it is in other Christian churches.
What does Black smoke from Vatican mean?
What the plumes indicate is simple: Black smoke means that there has been no decision on who among them will be the next pontiff . But if the “fumata bianca,” or white smoke, flows out of the chimney than the world knows there is a new Bishop of Rome
How many cardinals are in a conclave?
The same apostolic constitution also specifies a maximum of 120 cardinal electors who can participate in a conclave; this number has often been exceeded, although never at the time of a conclave.
How do cardinals eat during conclave?
The cardinals eat meals cooked by the Sistine Chapel’s nuns during conclave. But AFP reports that according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the nuns prepare “meals of soup, spaghetti, small meat kebabs and boiled vegetables” that are “similar to that served in hospitals.”
What color smoke pope dies?
Black smoke , or fumata nera, is sent out to inform the world that the Pope has died. The dead Pope’s ring, the Ring of the Fisherman, is also burned in the stove after it has been removed from the Pope’s finger and crushed by the camerlengo.
What does Black smoke mean?
Thick, black smoke indicates heavy fuels that are not being fully consumed . At times, black smoke can be an indicator that a manmade material is burning such as tires, vehicles or a structure. As a general rule, the darker the smoke, the more volatile the fire is.
How many popes have been married?
There have been at least four Popes who were legally married before taking Holy Orders: St Hormisdas (514–523), Adrian II (867–872), John XVII (1003) and Clement IV (1265–68) – though Hormisdas was already a widower by the time of his election.
Can you be a nun if you have a child?
Each faith and order sets its own requirements for those who want to become nuns. A woman who wants to become a Catholic nun
Do you have to be a virgin to be a consecrated virgin?
“The entire tradition of the Church has firmly upheld that a woman must have received the gift of virginity – that is, both material and formal (physical and spiritual) – in order to receive the consecration of virgins,” it said. ... There are around 250 consecrated virgins in the US and around 200 in the UK.
What is the pope’s salary?
The pope will not be affected by the cuts, because he does not receive a salary . “As an absolute monarch, he has everything at his disposal and nothing at his disposal,” Mr. Muolo said. “He doesn’t need an income, because he has everything that he needs.”
Why do the popes wear red shoes?
Throughout Church history, the color red has been deliberately chosen to represent the blood of Catholic martyrs spilt through the centuries following in the footsteps of Christ. ... The red shoes also symbolize the submission of the Pope to the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ .
Does the pope smoke?
According to CatholicWorldReport.com, at least a handful of popes indulged in tobacco use. Pius X and Pius XI smoked cigars, John XXIII smoked cigarettes, and Pope Benedict XVI is rumored to smoke (usually either Marlboro Reds or Gold) but doesn’t do so openly .
What happens to the pope’s ring when he died?
Upon a papal death, the ring used to be ceremonially destroyed using a hammer in the presence of other cardinals by the Camerlengo.
Who becomes pope when the pope dies?
The period between the pope’s death and the election of his successor is called the interregnum. Election of the new pope is the prerogative of the College of Cardinals, who meet within 15 to 20 days in the Sistine Chapel to choose his successor from among their number by secret ballot.
What does pink smoke mean?
A group of women who say they are priests launched pink smoke from a balcony overlooking the square on Wednesday to demand female ordination. Their protest is a play on the smoke signals sent from the Sistine Chapel to indicate whether the cardinals assembled therein have agreed on a new pope .
