What you need to know about the papal conclave
On May 7, the doors of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City will be shut and sealed, marking the start of the “conclave,” the process through which the Catholic Church’s next pope will be selected.
It’s a decision that even non-Catholics may want to pay attention to, says Richard Wood, president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Wood’s research and writing focuses on religion, faith-based organizing and global sociology.
“Catholicism is the single biggest Christian denomination both in the United States and in the world. In the US, it’s 18 to 20% of the population and has real influence on culture and politics. So this matters to everyone,” he says.
Wood shares insight into the rather secretive voting process, as well as who might become Pope Francis’ successor.