The conclave explained to children

Understanding the election of a new pope is not easy for a child. In its show of May 2, « Hi info! »the 7-11 year old information podcast explains the functioning of the conclave which begins on May 7. In two minutes, the essential is told: cardinals participating in the famous white smoke, including the two -thirds rule. A brief listening with the family, to open the discussion and follow the news ensemble.

The episode of May 2 of “Hi info! Is presented by Estelle, journalist of the show, and Céleste, 8, a young co -presentator. The second brief of the day is dedicated to the conclave.

• To listen to it, go directly to 02’15 ”

What does it mean to “conclave”?

On May 7, it will be the start of the conclave, a big meeting to elect a new pope after the death of Pope Francis. The Pope, who is the head of the Catholic Church, is elected by 133 cardinals, the highest Catholic officials from around the world.

“Conclave” is a word that comes from the Latin and that means “locked location” because, to vote, the cardinals will meet behind closed doors In the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, Rome, Italy. In order not to be influenced, they will be almost without contact with the outside! They will live on site and will not be able to read the newspapers, nor watch television or internet, nor listen to the radio.

How does the election of a new Pope go?

The cardinals vote with secret ballots … but, To be elected, a candidate must obtain two thirds of the votes, therefore 89 votes at least. There will be several votes until a pope is elected. And it can take time. The longest conclave dates back to 13^e A century, it lasted … three years! But now the conclave usually lasts a few days.

To have the answer, you will have to watch for a very special signal: smoke! The vote ended, the bulletins are burned. If no pope is elected, it is a black smoke that leaves the chapel chimney. In the event of an election, thanks to the addition of products in the fire, it is White smoke! Then, in front of an audience of believers gathered in the Vatican, we announce “Pope” (which means in Latin “we have a pope”) and the name of the new pope.

• The podcast “Hi info!” »» is a weekly news podcast up to children made by the magazine Astrapi and Franceinfo radio. He explains to 7-11 year olds the news of the week, gives them advice and makes them laugh with a new episode to listen to on Friday evening.