Syndication: Westchester County Journal News
(Vatican City) — The work of selecting a new pope in secret is set to begin just over a week from now. The Vatican announced today that the closed door process known as a conclave will begin on May 7th. Members of the College of Cardinals under age 80 are allowed to vote, and the winner must be selected by a two-thirds majority. Voting will continue until white smoke is seen from the chapel chimney, signifying there is a new Pope.
Retired Los Angeles Archbishop Roger Mahony was in the last two conclaves for Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. He tells ABC that those votes went fast, but he doesn’t expect the same this time around. He believes it could take a while to settle on a new pope. Mahony says the conclave may be one of last places on earth where a phone, laptop or any electronic device are not allowed.
