Although the Pope is seen as the successor of St Peter, none have chosen Peter for their Papal name, partly to avoid comparisons to the founder the Roman Catholic Church and partly because of an ancient prophecy that a new Pope called Peter will precede the end of the world.
With a Pope now duly elected the ballot papers are burned once more with an additive placed in the fire that turns the smoke white informing the world that a new Pontiff has been chosen.
As Pope Francis continues to recover from bronchitis in hospital, many have begun to wonder what the process would be if he were to step down on health grounds like his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
To begin the process, there is a special morning mass, after which the 120 Cardinals of voting age would gather inside the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel – home of all the Papal Conclaves since 1858.
The new Pope is led into the Room of Tears adjacent to the Sistine Chapel where he dons his new white robes and red slippers.
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