What is the papal conclave: Inside the ancient process of choosing the next pope

Fox News - Apr 21st, 2025

Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, prompting the Catholic Church to initiate the ancient process of electing a new pope through the papal conclave. This significant development was discussed by Bill Hemmer on 'Fox & Friends First,' highlighting the meeting between Pope Francis and Vice President JD Vance. The conclave, a gathering of the College of Cardinals, will take place in the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals under the age of 80 will vote in isolation, cut off from external influences. This traditional process underscores the urgency of selecting a new leader for the Catholic Church, with cardinals casting votes twice daily until a two-thirds majority is achieved and a new pope is chosen.

The papal conclave is steeped in history, with its procedures dating back to at least 1276. The conclave emphasizes secrecy and solemnity, as cardinals write their votes on paper and cast them in a chalice beneath Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgment. The process is marked by the burning of ballots, with black smoke indicating no consensus and white smoke announcing the election of a new pope. Pope Francis's papacy saw the appointment of over two-thirds of the current electors, who bring diverse perspectives from around the world. The conclave's outcome holds significant implications for the direction of the Catholic Church, as the newly elected pope will influence its future path and decisions.

Pope Francis Catholic Church Jd Vance Bill Hemmer Papal Conclave Sistine Chapel College Of Cardinals

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RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and generally accurate account of the papal conclave process, making it a valuable resource for understanding this significant Catholic tradition. Its strengths lie in the clarity and comprehensiveness of the procedural explanation. However, the inclusion of unverified claims about recent events involving Pope Francis affects its overall accuracy and transparency. The article could benefit from a broader exploration of the implications of a papal transition and more robust sourcing to enhance its credibility and impact. Despite these shortcomings, the topic's inherent public interest and timeliness contribute to its relevance and potential engagement with readers.

Accuracy

The article accurately describes the papal conclave process, aligning well with established sources on the subject. The historical reference to the conclave gathering since 1276 and the fact that only cardinals under 80 can vote are correct. The details about the voting process, the location of the conclave in the Sistine Chapel, and the use of smoke signals to indicate a decision are all factual. However, the mention of Pope Francis' death and a meeting with VP JD Vance requires verification, as these are significant claims that were not confirmed by other sources.

Balance

The article focuses primarily on the procedural aspects of the papal conclave, providing a detailed account of the election process. However, it lacks a broader perspective on the implications of a papal transition or the diverse viewpoints within the College of Cardinals. The article briefly mentions the diversity among cardinals but does not delve into the potential impacts of this diversity on the election outcome. This narrow focus could be seen as a lack of balance in presenting the broader significance of the conclave.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to explain the complex process of the papal conclave. The logical flow from the historical context to the procedural details helps readers understand the subject. However, the inclusion of unverified claims about recent events without clear differentiation from the factual content could confuse readers.

Source quality

The article appears to rely on established knowledge and traditions of the Catholic Church, which are generally credible. However, it lacks direct attribution to specific sources or experts, which could enhance the credibility of the information presented. The absence of named sources for the claims about Pope Francis' death and the meeting with VP JD Vance is a notable gap in source quality.

Transparency

The article provides a clear explanation of the conclave process but lacks transparency regarding its sources and the verification of claims, especially concerning the recent events involving Pope Francis. There is no disclosure of the methodology or sources used to gather the information, which would help readers assess the reliability of the content.