On the morning of April 26, the world watched as Pope Francis was given his final moments before being delivered into his final resting place. Within the white marble vault, his earthly remains will be held until there is no more by the hand of His God.

This event closed the final chapter in the life of Pope Francis. But as that chapter closed, a new one is beginning to be written. A century’s old tradition and ritual is beginning on May 7th, a gathering of the Church’s Cardinals will begin the secretive process of selecting the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion faithful Catholics. And in some ways the most notable leader of any of the world’s thousands of religions. Most people of faith take notice of the Pope and his words to the world. In this time of increasing tolerance by some and rejection of new ideology, people of beliefs look for direction.

With Pope Francis, the 266th See of Peter passing, the Church’s Cardinals are arriving in Rome to take part in the naming of the next Pope. First of all, Cardinal’s electors must be present. By tradition the closing of the Sistine Chapel door should take place fifteen to twenty days after the Pope’s death. This is why on May 7, which is today, the electors will have begun the process.

When Pope Francis passed, there were 252 Cardinals in the leadership of the church from all around the world. Most come from the Americas and the second largest group comes from the African continent. Some predict since Pope Francis came from South America, perhaps the large catholic population in Africa could influence the next selection. It is often believed that any Pope must have a working knowledge of the Italian Language.

Although the world’s attention is directed towards Rome, local dioceses and parishes are called to participate in the nine-day mourning period, also called, Novemdiales, or the time of ecclesial unity and prayers for the deceased pontiffs and the future of the church. Novemdiales therefore is both a period of mourning and renewal for the Church.

The College of Cardinals dates back to the 11th Century during the Gregorian Reform. Pope Gregory VII and the circle he formed in the papal curia, 1050-80, which dealt with the moral integrity and independence of the clergy. This change was believed to stop the lay influence of the new pope’s election. Nomine Domini, penned by Pope Nicholas II in 1059, provided the initial change which presented authority to elect the pope to the College of Cardinals. In the 12th Century additional changes of the election process removed lower clergy and laity from the election, included all Cardinals, not just Cardinal Bishops, and established the two-thirds majority rule in the selection process. By the late 1200s the conclaves’ rules were introduced to the process.

During the 1st through the 5th century Popes were selected by members of the clergy in Rome overseen by the bishops. History tells us that first elections occurred during the Synod (Councils) in 499 with clergy only involved in the selection. Then in the 6th through 10th century the process of electing a pope began to be influenced by the Roman government. This mixing of religion and government shows the beginning of historical power struggles of that time and created issues with autonomy of the church selecting a pope.

During the period of time when the church has no Pope to lead. Who guides the process that needs to be full-filled? There are two senior Vatican officials who retain their titles and authorities: First: Camerlengo – Cardinal Kevin Farrell. His responsibility is to certify the pope’s death and guard his Ring of the Fisherman. He then organizes the gathering of the Conclave. He also temporarily manages the Vatican’s necessary administrative affairs. Next in the leadership is the Apostolic Penitentiary, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis. He oversees the Vatican tribunal. During the conclave he is the only member of the group who can communicate with people on the outside of the sealed doors of the Sistine Chapel.

On May 7th, 135 of the 252 Cardinals will begin the hidden process. After prayer and discussion of who should guide the church, the electors begin the voting process. This may happen in a short period of time or take some time. Once the election has been made by the cardinals, the selected person is asked if they accept. At this point the new Pope will select his name. This is a personal choice and often seen as his way of announcing his choosing of past Saints and their legacy. A ceremonial robing in white of the new pope takes place. Next, the world is told the Church has a new Pope as white smoke rises from the stack and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica sound the news to all in Rome and the world. Finally, the Senior Cardinal Deacon along with the Cardinal Protodeacon steps onto St. Peter Basilica balcony and announces, “Habemus Papam” (We have a Pope) Then the new pope is presented to the awaiting world’s faithful.

The new Pope will continue the mission of St. Peter, who was declared the rock upon which Christ’s church was founded. Jesus entrusted Peter with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, presenting the primary goal to govern the Church. The Pope will follow Peter’s directive from Jesus to “Feed my Sheep.” With this promise, the new Pope becomes the successor to Peter, and he sustains the apostolic mission by ensuring unity in the Church’s teaching and protecting the Deposit of Faith.

Religion predates the ability of mankind to put down his beliefs in words or drawings. Archeologists study cave drawings going back thousands of years to try and understand how and when man first asked, “where did we come from and can I live forever.” Religion in one form or another gave the people their answers to those fundamental questions. Today long after the questions were first asked, we still are asking, where did we come from and can I live forever. Religion strives to answer those questions no matter people’s beliefs. The world’s new Pope will take up that question and give guidance to those who wish to know the answer, as we soon will hear the words, “We Have a Pope!” Passing Through the Lens.