Andrew Brown in the Guardian provides a very useful guide on the steps by which the next Pope will be chosen.
The article is broken down into 10 parts
1. The issue at a glance
2. A brief history
3. What happens next?
4. The options – and key arguments
5. What does it mean for me?
6. Key players
7. Glossary
8. FAQ
9. Some key figures
10. In greater depth
2. A brief history
3. What happens next?
4. The options – and key arguments
5. What does it mean for me?
6. Key players
7. Glossary
8. FAQ
9. Some key figures
10. In greater depth
The election place in the Sistine chapel, beneath Michelangelo’s glorious frescoes. It is in fact one of the most democratic forms of election known, however authoritarian and undemocratic the organisation is otherwise.The 115 cardinals who will vote this time are locked in (the word conclave comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key”) until they reach a decision. They are allowed to sleep in special apartments, and to shower but these are modern innovations.
Says Brown