Pope Francis died Monday morning, announced the Vatican, days after he left the hospital after treatment for complex respiratory infection. He was 88 years old.
His death, 12 years after being declared Pope, has caused renewed questions about who will happen as leader of the Catholic Church, one of the oldest and largest religious institutions with up to 1.39 billion followers.
This is what you need to know about what could come after Pope Francis, whose ideals of social justice and global vision have transformed the Church.
Who will be the next Pope?
A successor has not yet been chosen.
The Cardinals College, composed of the Catholic or Senior clergy, many designated by Francis himself, will choose the next Pope. To be eligible, a candidate must be a baptized male novel, designed for centuries, the cardinals have selected some ranges exclusive.
There are currently more than 240 cardinals worldwide. They usually have the life title.
How is a new Pope chosen?
Cardinals under 80 years of age, when the Pope dies or renounces, votes in what is known as the papal conclave. To prevent external influence, the conclave is blocked in the Sistine and Delibera chapel on the possible successors.
While the number of papal voters usually has a limit of 120, there are currently 138 eligible voters. Its members cast their votes through the secret ballots, a process supervised by nine randomly selected cardinals. A two -thirds majority is traditionally required to choose the new Pope, and the vote continues until this threshold is with.
After each round, the tickets burn with chemicals, producing black or black smoke. The black smoke signs that a decision has not been made, while the white smoke means that a new Pope has been chosen. Once a Pope is chosen, a superior cardinal announces his name from the Basilica of San Pedro.
When will the papal conclave begin?
Usually, two or three weeks after death (or resignation) of the last Pope. This allows a nine -day mourning period and for the cardinals to arrive at the Vatican from all over the world.
The 2013 conclave that chose Pope Francis, who is the first Pontiff of South America, entitled only 12 days after the resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
How long does it take to choose a new Pope?
The process can take days, weekly or even more, depending on how divided the cardinals are.
Every day, the conclave can maintain up to four rounds of voting to try to achieve the required majority of two thirds. If after 33 rounds there is still no decision, the two main candidates face in a runoff vote.
The elections of the last three popes have been relatively fast, and each lasted only several days.
But historically, the elections have sometimes prolonged much longer, with the papal conclave that chose Pope Gregory X in 1271 taking almost three years due to fierce political disputes.
Who are the main candidates to become the next Pope?
Of the 138 cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave, Pope Francis named a total of 110 cardinals. This group is notable more than the previous voters, with a higher representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America, which reflects Francis’s goal to reflect the global scope of the Church. The youngest cardinal voter is only 45 years old, a Ukrainian clergy based in Australia.
As a result, there is the possibility that, for the first time in centuries, the next Pope can of Africa or Asia, or another traditional region underground in the leadership of the Church.
Among the African cardinals who are being discussed are Peter Turksson of Ghana, the former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Fridolin Ambongo de Congo, archbishop of Kinshasa. Both are committed conservatives who have vocal leg lawyers for peace in their respective country.
Another strong contender is Cardinal Filipino Luis Tagle, the former archbishop of Manila. Like Pope Francis, Tagle emphasizes social justice and care of the poor.
Cardinal of Hungarian Peter Erdo is seen as an outstanding conservative candidate and could serve as a bridge for Eastern Christians. The Archbishop of Esztergom Budapest, Erdo is a traditionalist who has defended the Orthodox Christians, emphasizing the “desperate need” by unity between the churches.
Also in the mixture is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, whose main diplomatic role ensures that it is well known to all cardinals.
Other possible candidates include Matteo Zuppi from Italy, archbishop of Bologna and Mario Grech de Malta, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, a position that kept him in close contact with Pope Francis.
What happens to the Vatican who rotates a transition?
Duration The period “Vacant Headquarters” (vacant seat): When the papal office is unemployed, a senior cardinal, known as Camerlengo, certifies the death of the Pope and temporarily takes care of finances and administrative affairs. It does not have the authority to alter the doctrine of the Church or make significant decisions.
The current Camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, born in Ireland, who also serves as president of the Vatican Supreme Court.