Which Governing body within this religion decides who becomes the next Pope? How does it work? Surely they don’t draw straws…
It was in the news quite a bit last year.
The College of Cardinals meets and elects a new Pope, with every cardinal under the age of 80 entitled to vote.
Yeah, I briefly remember, but didn’t pay attention too much.
I recently joined but have been lurking for quite a while. diggleblop, when are you going to stop using SD as if it were a search engine?
Voodoonirvana, welcome to the SDMB. I think you’ll get along here just fine.
As soon as you pay for my membership. Then I’ll give you a serious response.
Seconded.
diggleblop, when are you going to stop using SD as if it were a search engine?
Thanks guys. 
Thirded.
same goes for you. send me 14.95 and I’ll tell you.
Also, aren’t you guys breaking the rules by not giving me a factual answer? When are you guys going to stop chastising paying members? Because I’m not using it as a search engine, I’m using it to educate myself, that’s what it’s here for.
Ah, misread diggle’s response. I thought he said “As soon as you pay for membership,” and thought the question would have more authority if it came from a bona-fide Charter Member. (Not that charter membership means much in the first place.) Oh well.
And welcome voodoonirvana.
Where do I send the check?
email me, it’s in my profile.
Dude, I am in awe. That must have taken some serious effort, along the lines of deliberately avoiding watching/listening to/reading any report on the matter in every form of newsmedia for a month. And in most Western media markets, tuning out almost completely for the whole week starting with Wojtyla’s funeral.
The answer, what Bricker said. Do a search for “election pope cardinals” and look for the threads dated around April 2005.
Why the age restriction?
Hmmm…
…nah, not worth it.
TWEEEEEEET!
OK, everyone, let’s not turn a simple GQ thread into something better suited to the Pit (regardless how irritating one finds another’s behavior).
[ /Moderating ]
Regarding the OP’s question:
Check out the Catholic Encyclopedia (early 20th century edition) articles on the Conclave, Papal Elections, and Election of the Popes with the updated instructions from Pope Paul II in Universi Dominici Gregis
If I recall correctly, there was a semi-recent sticky here that said in effect “Joking answers are allowed if the question has already been answered or if it’s about to fall off the first page.” Feel free to correct me, tom. Your question was answered in the first reply.