Preparations for pope elections underway

By Caleb Mutua

The College of Cardinals is preparing for the March 12 pope elections that will appoint a new Roman Catholic supreme pontiff.

The current 115 cardinals will Travel to Rome for the elections which are conducted in closed door meeting in the Sistine Chapel. The gathering is called conclave.

The winner will require to garner a two third majority vote. If no papal candidate meets the threshold the whole process is repeated.

Because no one apart from the cardinals is allowed in the Sistine Chapel, a white smoke comes from the rooftop of the Vatican chapel to signify a new pope.

Pope Benedict XVI bid the church an emotional farewell late last month saying he was too old to continue leading the 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

During the emotionally charged event, the retired pope kissed the hands of the cardinals as thousands of people waited outside the papal villa in Vatican.

In what he termed as a “decision of great importance for the life of the Church”, the pontiff vowed to unconditionally remain obedient to his successor. He also tweeted his farewell to thousands of his followers on Twitter.

He said that he will simply be a pilgrim henceforth shortly before leaving Vatican for a retreat at Castel Gandolfo.

Speaking to Cardinals at the Vatican, the retired pope said that the Church is a living being.

“Among you there is also the future pope to whom I promise my unconditional obedience and reverence,” he said.

After serving as the leader of the Catholic for nearly eight years, Pope Joseph Ratzinger shocked the world two weeks ago when he announced that he was going to resign because he was too old to continue.

“Having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” pope announced.

He said that his body and mind strength had deteriorated in the last few months to a point where he had recognized his incapacity to adequately fulfill his duties as a pope.

He also thanked the Church for the its love and support to his ministry urging his brothers to forgive him for all his defects.

First published in March 2013.