Pope Francis is Sick: How Catholic Church Chooses New Leader & Who Could be Next in Line

The Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis is currently hospitalized due to double pneumonia also known as bilateral pneumonia that affects the lungs.

According to the Vatican, Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for diagnostic tests and treatment for bronchitis.

His health issues have prompted discussions about the selection process of a new and possible successors to the Papacy.

However, the process of deciding a new pope can take several days that shall include conclave, voting, and a major announcement of the new Pope.

If the Pope Dies

The Vatican follows strict rules for announcing his death. This is a significant event that attracts changes in the Catholic church and the world.

When he dies, a long but detailed process starts. That will include the official morning that takes nine days called ‘Novemdiales’.

The planning of the funeral usually takes place at St. Peter’s Basilica where preparations and specific protocols are observed.

St. Peter’s Basilica holds great significance to the Catholic Church. According to Catholic traditions, it is a burial site where Jesus’ apostles and Bishop of Rome are buried.

Also Read: Pope Francis Hospitalized in Rome

The Selection Process

During this period of mourning, cardinals from around the world gather in Rome. They prepare for the conclave process that is intended to select the next successor.

The cardinals involved in the electing of the next pope comprised 252 members with 138 eligible voters, they should be under 80.

This process follows strict Catholic Rules and can take several days depending on how fast they can agree on a candidate.

The process paves the way for another process that involves a voting process in the Sistine Chapel.

 Further, the cardinals are subjected to a secret ballot voting process that may take several rounds with a two-thirds majority requirement to elect a new successor.

If there is no candidate with the most votes after several rounds, the ballot papers are burned the process starts again until the successor is elected.

When the elections are over and a candidate has successfully won, the new pope is publicly announced at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The death and election of a new pope bring people of all faiths together.

Also Read: Pope Francis Diagnosed with Double Pneumonia

Possible Successors

The Papacy’s potential successors have a vast knowledge of what the Papacy entails and have served in the Catholic church.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin aged 70 is among possible successors. He is currently serving as the Vatican’s Secretary of State, he is fit to continue with Pope Francis’s policies.

In addition, Cardinal Luis Tagle is the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and the former Archbishop of Manila.

At the same time, Cardinal Peter Turkson is the former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Cardinal Peter Erdo from Hungary who is known for opposing progressive changes in the church is also a potential successor for the Papacy position.

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