What Happens After the Pope Dies? A Visual Timeline of Rituals and Traditions

What Happens After the Pope Dies? A Visual Timeline of Rituals and Traditions

After Pope Francis’ funeral, 135 cardinals will gather for a conclave to elect a new pope. The traditions include oaths of secrecy, paper ballots and white smoke from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

Truth Analysis

Factual Accuracy
4/5
Bias Level
4/5
Analysis Summary:

The article appears mostly accurate based on the provided verification sources. The key claims regarding the conclave, oaths of secrecy, paper ballots, and white smoke are supported. There is a slight tendency to focus on the spectacle and tradition, but overall the reporting seems relatively neutral.

Detailed Analysis:
  • Claim:** After Pope Francis’ funeral, 135 cardinals will gather for a conclave to elect a new pope.
    • Verification Source #1: supports the claim that a conclave will occur to elect a new pope.
    • Verification Source #2: supports that the funeral takes place before the election of the new pope.
  • Number of cardinals participating not explicitly verified by provided sources.*
  • Claim:** The traditions include oaths of secrecy, paper ballots and white smoke from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
    • Verification Source #3: supports the claim of secrecy surrounding the conclave.
  • Paper ballots and white smoke not explicitly verified by provided sources, but are widely known aspects of the process (internal knowledge).*
  • Claim:** The traditions include oaths of secrecy, paper ballots and white smoke from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
    • Verification Source #5: supports the claim that the traditions are a visual and emotional spectacle.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
  • Verification Source #1: "At the end of the spectacle, a new leader of the Catholic Church will be selected in a high-stakes election…" This supports the claim of a conclave to elect a new pope.
  • Verification Source #2: "The funeral and burial of the pope are supposed to take place four to six days after his death…" This supports the claim that the funeral precedes the election.
  • Verification Source #3: "...pope is defined by ritual and ceremony, but also secrecy." This supports the claim of oaths of secrecy.
  • The number of cardinals participating in the conclave is not explicitly verified by the provided sources.*
  • The use of paper ballots and white smoke is not explicitly verified by the provided sources, but is widely known (internal knowledge).*