Little-known facts about pope selection process

Here are some little-know facts about how a new pope of the Catholic Church is elected:

• A two-thirds majority of the cardinals must agree on a new pope.

• Pope Alexander II implemented the rule of two-thirds majority to be elected in 1169.

• When a new pope is selected, that person is taken first to the “Room of Tears” in the Sistine Chapel. It gets its name from all of the tears shed by new popes over the centuries.

• Three cardinals count the votes, then those ballots are burned, never to be seen again.

• Only three popes were under the age of 25. Only three popes were over 80 when elected.