GMA News presents Ang Susunod na Santo Papa

MANILA, Philippines - Ongoing is the Papal conclave wherein 115 cardinals from all over the world convene to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church following Benedict XVI’s resignation.

GMA News and Public Affairs takes Filipinos to the heart of the momentous event, with live reports straight from Rome.

A total of 77 votes or two-thirds of the majority is required for the next pontiff to be elected. The cardinal electors are cut off from the world during the conclave in the Sistine Chapel. Outside, onlookers will be notified as to whether a decision has been made based on the smoke that will arise from the chapel’s chimney at specific times of the day: Black smoke signifies that no decision has been made, while white means that they have elected the new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.

Part of the voting cardinals is Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, considered by many to be a frontrunner to become the next Pope.

The live broadcast of Ang Susunod na Santo Papa: A GMA News Special Coverage airs over GMA News’ 24 Oras, Unang Hirit, Saksi and Flash Report, as well as GMA News TV’s State of the Nation, Kape at Balita, News To Go, Quick Response Team, Balita Pilipinas, Balitanghali and News TV Live.

Up-to-the-minute news bulletins also air over DZBB Super Radyo 594 kHz. Filipino netizens can catch up on the latest updates of the Papal conclave via GMA News Online (http://www.gmanetwork.com/news) and through the network’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.