History Now: Holy Secrets: Electing A Pope

History Now: Holy Secrets: Electing A Pope

A look into the secretive process of papal succession

Updated to include the selection of the new pope, Pope Benedict XVI

Program to air on Wednesday, April 20 at 8pm ET/PT

NEW YORK, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- After the passing of Pope John Paul II, the College of Cardinals, consisting of more than 100 cardinals from around the world, gathered at the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope. Sealed from public view, they elected one from among themselves to become the new leader of the Catholic Church. HISTORY NOW: HOLY SECRETS: ELECTING A POPE looks at the history of the Papacy and how Popes are chosen; and has been updated to include the selection of the new Pope, Pope Benedict XVI. The special presentation airs Wednesday, April 20 at 8pm ET/PT.

The Pope is one of the most powerful men in the world, a leader whose words influence the meek and the mighty. To over a billion Catholics, he stands as God's representative on Earth. For 2,000 years, the election of Popes has involved divine inspiration and backroom politics.

Those chosen have been saints and sinners, playboys and warriors, visionaries and incompetents. Some abdicated, some were imprisoned, and a few were assassinated. There was even a period when more than one Pope ruled-a 'true' Pope and an 'Anti-Pope.' There have been as many as 39 Anti-Popes throughout papal history.

Though Peter, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, is considered the first Pope, historians know very little about how he or the earliest Popes were selected or how long they served. But, Cardinals have had the power to elect a Pope for over 800 years. Pope Alexander III gave them that right in the year 1179, hoping to keep the elections in the hands of the church and out of the corrupt influences of outsiders.

Today, to select a new Pope, the College of Cardinals seals itself off in a conclave, literally meaning, "to lock with a key." Although cardinals are not supposed to campaign for the position, it is there that they size each other up and make their intentions known. Election requires a two-thirds majority, but if no Pope is chosen within two weeks, a simple majority rules. After each session the paper ballots are burned. If the vote is inconclusive, chemicals are added to produce black smoke. White smoke signifies that a new Pope has been chosen. The new Pope appears on the balcony to give his blessing, and two days later the coronation is held.

Today, the papal election seems a regal, dignified, orderly event with great pomp and circumstance. But, it wasn't always the case. Honorius II was elected Pope in 1124 after a gang, who supported his bid, broke into the conclave and violently threatened the incumbent to resign.

HOLY SECRETS: ELECTING A POPE looks at some of the most colorful, controversial and interesting Popes throughout history, and tells the equally riveting stories of how they got elected and how they changed the election process, sometimes because of their bad behavior. The documentary also reflects on the accomplishments of Pope John Paul II, his influence on the new papal election, and the challenges the new Pope will face.

HOLY SECRETS: ELECTING A POPE features commentary from religious historians and writers including Father Thomas Reese and Father Richard O'Brien; University of Notre Dame professor Scott Appleby; Newsweek religion correspondent Kenneth Woodward, and New York Times religious correspondent Peter Steinfels.

Margaret G. Kim is the executive producer of HOLY SECRETS: ELECTING A POPE for The History Channel. HOLY SECRETS: ELECTING A POPE was produced for The History Channel by Eye Too Productions.

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Source: The History Channel

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