On Tues­day, the automobile­di­nals locked them­selves into the Sis­tine Chapel, offi­cial­ly start­ning the con­clave to elect the 267th pope. First for­mal­ized by Pope Gre­go­ry X in 1274, the con­clave (a phrase derived from the Latin phrases cum clave, imply­ing “with a key”) fol­lows a excessive­ly script­ed course of honed over the previous 800 years. How the con­clave works, and the way it got here into being—all of that will get cov­ered within the Reli­gion for Break­quick video above. It’s host­ed by the reli­gious stud­ies schol­ar Dr. Andrew M. Hen­ry.

Beneath, you may also delve into the more moderen his­to­ry of papal elec­tions. Cre­at­ed by Use­ful Charts, this video cov­ers each papal con­clave since 1958 and features a pre­dic­tion for who the subsequent pope shall be as soon as the white smoke ris­es. Who’s the subsequent like­ly pon­tiff? No spoil­ers right here. You’ll have to observe the video to search out out.

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