White smoke, bells signal selection of new pope

CNN.com - Apr 19, 2005: "Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez was expected to make the official announcement of the 265th pontiff from the central balcony of the St. Peter's Basilica.

The 115 cardinals' morning ballots were burned at about 11:50 a.m. (5:50 a.m. EDT). Black smoke had come from the chimney after the two morning votes. Chemicals are added to the ballots to turn the smoke white or black.

Clad in crimson robes, shoulder capes and hats, the 115 cardinals from 52 countries walked from the Hall of Blessings into the Sistine Chapel as "The Litany of Saints" was sung.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals and considered a leading candidate for pope, recited a prayer. The term conclave means "with a key" -- meaning the process takes place behind lock and key. To win, a candidate needs two-thirds of the votes. If three days pass with no pope chosen, the cardinals will take a day of reflection and prayer before resuming balloting. And, under rules established by John Paul II, if no one has the required two-thirds majority after about 12 days, the cardinals can switch to a simple majority.

John Paul was widely credited with extending the reach of the papacy. He spoke more than a dozen languages and set an unprecedented pattern of pastoral travel, drawing huge crowds all over the world.

He was also strictly traditional on issues of sexuality and the role of women in the church, which won him support among some Catholics but alienated others. Similar disagreement exists over the next pontiff's stances on issues such as birth control, stem cell research and the ordination of female priests."

Which region do you think the new pope should come from?

Italy 16% 7911 votes

Other Europe 17% 8557 votes

South America 28% 13999 votes

North America 13% 6490 votes

Africa 21% 10455 votes

Asia 7% 3423 votes
Total: 50835 votes