The choreographed election of a pope in a nutshell-A A +A
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 VATICAN CITY -- The election of a pope
follows a series of choreographed rules and rituals that have
been tweaked over the centuries ever since the term "conclave"
or "with a key" was used in the 13th century to describe the
process of locking up the cardinals until they have chosen a new
pope. Here are the rules in use to elect the 266th pope: Only
cardinals under age 80 are eligible; in this case, 115 men fit
the bill and will vote. Two cardinals who were eligible stayed
home: The emeritus archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Julius
Darmaatjadja, who is ill, and Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien,
who recused himself after admitting to inappropriate sexual
behavior. What is the ritual? The conclave's first day begins
with the "Pro eligendo Romano Pontificie" Mass for the election
of a pope. In the afternoon, cardinals gather in the Pauline
Chapel of the Apostolic Palace and file into the Sistine Chapel
chanting the Litany of Saints an