CNN news 2013-03-13 加文本

cnn news 2013-03-13

I'm Tommy Andrey from cnn radio; I'm filling in forCarl as we start a new week of cnn student news.

First up, we're heading to Kenya; it has the largest economy in East Africa. It's a relatively stable country in theregion, that isn't always stable. And it's a major U.S ally in the war againstterrorism. So what happens in Kenyacan have a big impact on other countries. Here is what happened there thisweekend.

"I therefore declare Uhuru Kenyatta the dulyelected president of the Republic Kenya. Now it is clear that theconstitutionally-sanctioned process of electing a new set of leaders to take usto the next level has been thwarted by another tainted election."

Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's firstpresident is set to become its youngest president. It's also facing chargesfrom the International Criminal Court. The charges against Kenyatta involveshis alleged role in violence after Kenya's last presidential electionin 2007 when he was not a candidate, Kenyatta denies those charges. RaliaOdinga was Kenyatta's main challenger in this election. He is the one who saidit was tainted; Kenya'sconstitution says a candidate has to earn just more than 50% in order to win.Kenyatta got 50.07%; Odinga says he'll challenge the election result in court.

Is this legit? Vatican City is the smallest country in theworld.

It's true. Vatican Citywhich is also called the Holy See is smaller than a National Mall in Washington D.C.

Vatican City is also theheadquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is the head of that church,but right now, there is no Pope. Pope Benedict the 16th resigned last month.Tomorrow, cardinals, leaders in the Catholic Church, will start the process ofelecting a new Pope during a conclave. Jonathan Mann explains what that is andhow it works.

It's the oldest enduring electoral system in theworld and many of its traditions have been unchanged for centuries. Theconclave, which literally means locked with a key, dates back to a time whencardinals were locked in until they chose a new Pope. Now it's the world that'slocked out, figuratively speaking, as much as the conclave will take placebehind closed doors. The gathering begins with a morning mass in St.Peter'sbasilica. In the afternoon, the 115 voting cardinals, those under 80 years oldenter the Sistine Chapel where each will take an oath of secrecy. The penalty,automatic excommunication. After the oath, preparations are made for theelection taken by secret ballot. Lots are drawn to select three cardinals whowill help collect ballots, three more cardinals to count the votes and threeothers to review the result. Printed on the ballots the words "Eligo inSummun Pontificum", meaning I elect as Supreme Pontiff. Each electorwrites the name of one candidate on the lower half of the ballot and fold it inhalf, cardinals are not allowed to vote for themselves. Then in order ofseniority, the cardinals take their ballots to the altar. Each places a foldedballot onto a small desk, and then the ballot is dropped into a chalice. Onceall the votes are cast, the ballots are tallied, and the results are readaloud. More than two thirds majority is needed to declare a winner, in thiscase, 77 votes. If there is no winner, there is another vote, if there is stillno winner, two more votes are scheduled for the afternoon. Voting continues upto four ballots each day until there is a winner.

The ballots are burnt after each session, in anincinerator inside the Chapel. If there is no winner, they are burnt with achemical that gives off black smoke, telling the crowd waiting in Saint Peter'sSquare that a new Pope has not yet been selected. When there is a winner, whitesmoke, a sign from the cardinals that they have chosen a new Pope to lead thechurch.

Jonathan Mann, cnn, Atlanta.