Decoding of the Vatican: key terms in the papal transition
The transition from one Pope to another can be a mystifying moment for those who are not familiar with the functioning of the Roman Catholic Church - and even for some who are.The process is governed by secular rules and traditions that derive from their vocabulary, largely in Latin. It is likely that the election of a new pope will take place over weeks or months while a small group of Catholic prelates decides on the next leader of a global flock of over a billion faithful.With the first papal transition in more than a decade in progress after the death of Pope Francis, who was put at rest on Saturday, here are some terms to know:ConclaveThis is the meeting of the Cardinals, who will begin next month, which will elect the next Pope. The word derives from the Latin "with the key" and refe...