Exploring the Catholic Church: Conclave—Electing the Pope
Welcome to Lesson 10 of our journey exploring the Catholic Church. Today, we delve into one of the most sacred, secretive, and significant ceremonies in Catholicism: the Conclave. This ancient process determines who will lead the world's 1.3 billion Catholics as the next Pope.
Throughout this presentation, we'll examine the procedures, rich symbolism, and historical significance of papal elections. From the moment a papal seat becomes vacant to the iconic white smoke rising above St. Peter's Square, the Conclave represents a fascinating blend of tradition and divine guidance.