Selecting The Next Pope

After more than 25 years, a new pope is going to be elected.

Cardinals have been arriving in Rome to pick John Paul II's successor. But the process is highly secretive.

From Rome, author Margaret Hebblethwaite and from the The Early Show studio, author Greg Tobin, explain to co-anchor Hannah Storm how the process works.

Tobin wrote "Selecting The Pope," and Hebblethwaite penned "The Next Pope." She's also a reporter for the London-based international weekly Catholic newspaper, The Tablet.

There a mourning period of nine days, with a funeral Mass and burial in the middle of it. Over the next six days, cardinals from all over the world gather in Rome. On day 15, they will enter the sealed and secret conclave to choose the new pope.

"This is the first of several times they will be required to take the oath of secrecy," Tobin says. "As each cardinal arrives in Rome and begins meeting with the other cardinals in these congregations, the oath is repeated a number of times. It will be repeated when they are within the conclave. It's an important part of the conclave rules. They are forbidden to have any electronic devices with them in the conclave or communicate with the outside world in any way."

Hebblethwaite stresses this is a process guided by spirituality, the Holy Spirit. But nonetheless, there are practical considerations cardinals have to consider when choosing the next pope.

She explains, "I think they're going to be looking for someone who is holy. He's got to be a holy father. As they look around their colleagues, they have to be able to live that dream that this is a holy man on whom the Holy Spirit sits. That's terribly, terribly important.

"Something else that is also terribly, terribly important from a more practical point of view is how good is his Italian. The pope has to operate in Italian. And if you choose a pope who is not fluent in Italian, he's going to be totally lost and it will be a disaster.

"Thirdly, they're going to want a pope of the right age. Now what is the right age is a very interesting question. I would tend to say between 60 and 70. I've heard others say between 65 and 75.

"Now some people say that after such a long papacy, they will be going for an older man so that they don't have him too long, because they won't want another very long papacy. But it could go the other way. Because after a pope who has been very sick for the last years, they could very well go for pope who is going to be very fit to give a balance to what we've just had. So it's an open question.

"There is also the nationality question, of course."

Tobin adds to the list of qualifications, the cardinal's pastoral skills.

"He is the chief pastor, the universal pastor of the church, and they will be looking for someone who has had that type of experience," Tobin says.

And with such a diverse group of cardinals, it is not clear who the front-runner might be.

"There are cardinals representing every continent of the world; 117 of the most diverse and largest group ever to elect a pope," Tobin says. "It's unlikely that it will be an Italian, though we could be surprised. In fact, in this crop of Italians, which is the largest national delegation, there are some really outstanding candidates."

One thing is certain: the moment the pope is chosen, white smoke will emanate from the Sistine Chapel.

"Twice a day, they will burn the ballot papers," Hebblethwaite says.

For now, she says, the cardinals will be focusing on a time of reflection.

She says, "It's a moment for reflecting, appreciating, the legacy of the pope who has just left us before we pass on to thinking who we want put in his place."

The following is an excerpt from the jacket of the book: "Selecting The Pope":

"Award-winning author Greg Tobin offers a compelling guide to what is sure to be one of the most important and headline-making events in modern history — the election of the next pope.

Selecting the Pope examines each rule of this secretive process — and explores the rich history behind the conclave and the key issues that will shape the future of the Catholic Church.

You'll discover:

Why the election always concludes with the rising of white smoke

What powers the cardinals hold during the vacancy of the Holy See

Pope John Paul II's startling changes to the centuries-old election process

A day-by-day account of the balloting inside the Sistine Chapel

How the electors should behave during the conclave — even to their "dress code"

A look at the first list of probable successors to John Paul II.

In addition, there's a day-by-day account of the balloting inside the Sistine Chapel. Whether your interest is historical, religious, or political, you'll enjoy a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Vatican."