How to choose the Pope

February 28, 2013 took place on a voluntary abdication of Pope Benedict XVI. This decision came as a surprise and caught the Vatican by surprise, because in the modern history until now there were no cases to the pope left the throne except after his own death. This renunciation is the first in the last 600 years.

The current conclave lasted only two days, and the Catholic Church has chosen a new 266-th in a row Pope. He was the first in the history became a non-European - a cardinal from Argentina, entered the holy throne under the name Francis.

A report on how to choose the pope, the cardinals meeting famous smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and many other things.

The abdication of Pope Benedict the XVI

The abdication of Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger's his name) was held in Rome on February 28, 2013 at 20:00 local time. The official reason is: "for health reasons". This was first reported by the Holy See in the morning February 11, 2013.

April 16 this year, the pontiff will celebrate 86 years.

"Repeatedly experiencing his conscience before God, I have come to believe that my strengths, due to old age, is no longer sufficient for the proper performance of the ministry of St. Peter."

Voluntary renunciation of Benedict XVI was the first in nearly 600 years since the abdication of Pope Gregory XII in 1415. Another reason for the denial could be that Benedict XVI could not reach and 10th share of the popularity of the previous pope - John Paul, and with it, the Catholic Church began to lose its popularity. Benedict XVI was much more conservative than his predecessor, and he was elected in his old age. Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Square during his last audience, February 27, 2013.

February 27, 2013 was the last general audience of Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Square in Rome.

The night before last audience. St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, February 26, 2013.

A guard in front of the Vatican, Rome, February 27, 2013.

Listen farewell speech of the Pope in the square, according to preliminary estimates, gathered more than 200 thousand people. Audience started around the entire area was filled St. Peter's at 10:30 am Rome time, pilgrims and the surrounding area.

The archbishops in St. Peter's Square before the last audience Benedict XVI.

At first, the Pope traveled to the pilgrims on the popemobile, surrounded by bodyguards, together with the press secretary.

Rome, St. Peter's Square, 27 February 2013.

German Cardinal Reinhard Marx poses for the audience, February 27, 2013.

Then the Pope said appeal to the people in several languages.

Papal shoes - red leather shoes:

Cardinals at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during the last audience with Benedict XVI, 27 February 2013.

Last audience in a live broadcast in many countries of the world, including in Russia. In the photo: a poster with the caption "Thank you, Father." His high position leaves the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics. Rest of his life, Benedict XVI will spend behind the Vatican walls, in a voluntary retreat, and will carry the title of "honorary Pope", who established for him.

How do I choose the Pope

February 25, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI has changed the charter to accelerate the process of deciding on a successor. Already March 4, 2013 at the Vatican gathered members of the General Congregation of the Cardinals to set a date for the conclave at which a new Pope is elected Roman

Photo from the elections of the past is now Josef Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI, April 18, 2005.

The Conclave (Lat conclave -. A locked room) - a collection of Cardinals convened after the death or resignation of the Pope for the election of the new Pope, and this very room. Since 1871 conclaves held in the Sistine Chapel.

The room is closed and opened only after the election of the new Pope. There is no connection with the outside world is cut off Internet and mobile communications.

The Sistine Chapel, 18 April 2005.

How do I choose the Pope.

Sistine Chapel, 18 April 2005.

The current conclave of 2013 lasted only two days. He became as short as in 2005, when St. Peter's throne was occupied by Benedict XVI - the results of only 5 votes.

The Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave and elect a new pope, March 12, 2013.

March 12, 2013. The doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed, and the Cardinals are beginning to elect a new pope.

Protection of the doors of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, March 12, 2013.

Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, March 12, 2013.

In anticipation of the new Pope St. Peter's Square in Rome gathered tens of thousands of people, March 12, 2013.

In the Vatican began the first session of the conclave - the meeting of the 115 cardinals in complete isolation from the outside world - to elect a new Pope. Cardinals swear on the Bible in the Sistine Chapel before the conclave, March 12, 2013. What is happening is broadcast on monitors in St. Peter's Basilica.

Several tens of thousands of people gathered at St. Peter's Square in Rome, standing for two hours and a half, did not wait for the name of the new head of the Catholic Church: March 12, 2013 at 19:45 from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel threw black smoke, barely visible against the night sky. The Cardinals have not agreed, and the new pope has not been elected.

The second voting cardinals at the Vatican.

Cardinals pray for the election of the new Pope, 12 March 2013.

The central balcony of St. Peter's Cathedral is called the Loggia blessing. There should be a new Pope after his election to the conclave. While the balcony is empty, the Vatican, March 12, 2013.

St. Peter's Basilica. View of the blessings loggia, March 12, 2013.

Mass in St. Peter's Basilica before the next vote, March 12, 2013.

Pilgrims on St. Peter's Square, Rome, March 12, 2013.

Mass in St. Peter's Basilica before the next vote, March 12, 2013.

The fact that the conclave would be so short, there are few who believe. The first smoke - black, the second - again, the black, the third time over the chapel raised white smoke in the evening on March 13, 2013. No one believes their eyes until they hear a bell ringing:

The white smoke came from the chimney at 19:05 and an hour from the balcony came the "Habemus papam" - "We have a pope." 115 Cardinals have chosen the head of the Catholic Church. 266-th in a row by the Pope became the first in history European, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who took the name Francis. Almost immediately after the election of the new Pope spoke on the phone with his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who voluntarily resigned.

The new pontiff 77 years, he is known for his modesty lives in a small apartment and rides on public transport. Elected head of the Roman Catholic Church took the name of one of the most beloved and revered saints - Francis Assizkogo.

Francis addresses the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Cathedral (Sunrooms blessing), March 13, 2013.

People in the square in front of St. Peter's trying to take a picture of the new Pope, projecting from the central balcony, March 13, 2013.

The new Pope is different "kind attitude towards Russia." For example, in December 2012 only because of his personal orders managed to find room for the exhibition of Russian Orthodox icons.

Francis - the 266th Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the absolute monarch of Vatican City State will hold the inaugural Mass March 19, 2013.