Secrecy shrouds selection of pope

A week from Monday, more than 100 Roman Catholic cardinals will convene in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, under Michelangelo's famous ceiling, to elect a new pope.

The last such "conclave" took place in 1978 when Pope John Paul II was elected — so long ago that many may not remember how the process works. Following is a brief explanation:

Q: What does "conclave" mean?

A: The word comes from the Latin "with a key," referring to the tradition of locking the doors until cardinals elect a winner.

Q: Who is eligible to be pope?

A: Technically, any baptized male Catholic — meaning anyone from Mel Gibson to Ted Kennedy to the bishop of Buffalo. Since 1378, however, new popes have come from the College of Cardinals.

Q: Who sets the conclave rules?

A: A 1996 document by Pope John Paul II, "Universi Dominici Gregis," lays out the framework. Other details and traditions have evolved over time.

Q: What language is used?

A: Traditionally, Latin has been the lingua franca of the church. However, with a global church, Latin has fallen away. While some details call for Latin — "extra omnes!" (all out!) shoos everyone out of the Sistine Chapel — others will likely be replaced by Italian, Spanish and English.

Q: Who may participate?

A: There are 117 cardinals younger than 80 and thus eligible. Older retired cardinals may participate in discussions leading up to the conclave but may not vote.

Q: Are women or laypeople involved?

A: Outside of cooks or housekeepers, no. Only cardinals — male priests by definition — take part.

Q: Will Americans participate?

A: There are 11 eligible American cardinals. Seven of them head archdioceses — New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles.

Q: Is the conclave public?

A: Absolutely not. Voting is conducted behind closed doors under the tightest security to allow the cardinals to cast their votes without outside influence or pressure. Anyone associated with the conclave must take a vow of secrecy.

Q: What influences the voting?

A: The church says only the Holy Spirit will influence the results. But church-watchers say a new pope will win based on age, nationality, life experience, personality and positions on major issues facing the church.

Q: Could an American be pope?

A: Technically, yes, but in practice, no. Church-watchers say cardinals would not pick the world's most visible religious leader from the world's lone superpower. In short, the U.S. dominates world affairs; it doesn't need to dominate the church, too.

Q: Are overt campaigning and backroom deals allowed?

A: Discussions before the conclave are expected, but campaigning is discouraged. Paper ballots are cast in silence, leaving discussions and arguments to be held outside the Sistine Chapel. Alliances are natural, but cardinals are forbidden to buy votes or make deals; John Paul II said his successor would not be bound by promises made before election.

Q: When does the voting occur?

A: The first ballot may be held on the first afternoon of the conclave following morning Mass. After that, there are two ballots in the morning and two ballots in the afternoon until a pope is elected.

Q: How long will that be?

A: Ballots are cast until a winner receives the necessary two-thirds majority. After three days of unsuccessful balloting, cardinals take a break and resume after a short spiritual talk. Voting then continues for an additional seven votes, followed by another break, and an additional round of seven votes. After about 30 ballots or about 12 days, the cardinals may vote to waive the two-thirds requirement and elect a pope with an absolute majority.

Q: Who counts the ballots?

A: The conclave features elaborate voting and vote-counting procedures to prevent fraud. Cardinals are selected by lot to count and double-count the ballots and collect votes from sick cardinals.

Q: How does a cardinal become pope once he is elected?

A: Simply by answering "I accept" to the question, "Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?" (In the unlikely event the new pope is not a bishop, he must first be consecrated.)

Q: Can a pope refuse his election?

A: Technically, yes, though it's been centuries since anyone has. In 1271, St. Philip Benizi fled the conclave and hid until another man was elected. St. Charles Borromeo declined election in the 16th century, as did Robert Bellarmine in the 17th.

Q: How is the papal name picked?

A: The new pope takes any name he likes. No law mandates a new name, but the practice has been standard for about 1,000 years. Some honor a favorite saint or a beloved pope. Others honor predecessors — John Paul II followed John Paul I. The only name that's sacrosanct is Peter, the first pope.

Q: Explain the white smoke.

A: Ballots are burned in a special stove, whose chimney is visible to onlookers in St. Peter's Square. Black smoke means there is no winner; white smoke means a new pope has been elected. The only record of the voting is a document prepared at the end of the election. It is given to the new pope and placed in a sealed envelope in the archives, to be opened only with papal permission.

Q: How does the world know a new pope is elected?

A: After white smoke swirls up the chimney, a senior cardinal will announce from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus papam." — "I announce to you news of great joy. We have a pope." This time, the Vatican also will ring bells to make sure the message is clear.