The World Awaits the Conclave: How the New Pope Is Elected

The date for the new conclave has not been set yet. It will commence immediately once 120 cardinal electors assemble in the Vatican, but no later than 20 days following the Pope's death.

In recent days, Catholics from around the globe have been arriving in the Vatican. On April 24, the farewell ceremony for Pope Francis began. He passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. Earlier in February, the pontiff was urgently hospitalized due to pneumonia complications, and his death was caused by a stroke and its consequences. The Pope's coffin was placed in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for public mourning, drawing nearly 100,000 people in line within just a few hours. The mourning ceremony will continue until the evening of April 25, after which the coffin will be sealed. Pope Francis requested to be buried "in the earth, in a simple tomb with the sole inscription: Franciscus" at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome on April 26.

With the passing of the Pope, many wonder what comes next. The Vatican will convene a council of cardinals to conduct the sacred election known as the conclave. When the new pontiff is chosen, white smoke will rise from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Here’s an inside look at what happens behind the locked doors of the Vatican's principal church.

What Is a Conclave and How Is the Pope Elected?

The process of electing the Pope is vividly depicted in the 2024 film "Conclave," directed by Edward Berger. The movie, adapted from Robert Harris’s novel, won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and stars the brilliant Ralph Fiennes. Interest in the film surged by 283% in recent days.

Typically, the conclave begins 15-20 days after the Pope’s death. Immediately after the pontiff’s passing, his chambers are sealed. Door handles are tied with a red ribbon and sealed with wax. The ceremony is led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

The period between the Pope’s death and the election of his successor is called the "sede vacante" or vacant seat. The Camerlengo, a cardinal, manages the funeral and prepares for the conclave. In theory, any unmarried, childless Catholic man can be elected Pope, even if he is not a priest, though historically, new Popes have always been cardinals. The leader of the Catholic Church must be well-educated, multilingual, knowledgeable in theology and Christian history, and possess exceptional diplomatic skills.

The election takes place under strict secrecy. The conclave gathers 120 cardinals under 80 years old, who remain locked in a confined area for the duration of the election. They reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae and vote in the Sistine Chapel. They are prohibited from contacting the outside world—no communication, news, or gadgets allowed. Any violation leads to excommunication, and the chapel is thoroughly checked for surveillance devices. The word "conclave" literally means "locked with a key" in Latin.

Voting is secret, with each cardinal writing the candidate's name on a ballot. The ballots are then threaded onto a special string to ensure each vote is counted once. The first vote is singular, followed by two voting sessions daily—morning and evening. If no candidate achieves the required two-thirds plus one majority, all ballots are burned with a chemical added to produce black smoke. When a Pope is elected, white smoke signals the successful conclusion.

If after 30 rounds of voting no Pope is elected, the rules change to allow a simple majority to win. This rule was introduced to prevent prolonged conclaves, which historically could drag on for an extended period.

The Longest Conclave in History

In 1268, the conclave lasted a staggering 1006 days—nearly three years. Cardinals debated, argued, and failed to reach a consensus. The papal seat remained vacant, causing unrest among the faithful. Eventually, the cardinals were locked inside the cathedral with the roof removed to expose them to harsh weather. When that failed, their food was rationed to once daily. Legend has it that several elderly cardinals fell ill, and one even fled the city. Only then was a new Pope elected: Theobald Visconti, who took the name Gregory X. He served as Pope for just five years, slightly longer than the conclave itself.

The Shortest Conclaves

Not all conclaves are lengthy. The shortest ones in modern history occurred in 2005 and 2013, lasting 26 and 27 hours respectively. Once elected, the cardinal chooses a new papal name, dons special vestments, and appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Square to greet the faithful. The most popular papal name is John (used 23 times), followed by Gregory and Benedict (16 times each). Notably, even after securing the majority vote, the elected cardinal must consent to accept the papacy before being officially declared Pope.

Who Will Be the Next Pope?

Pope Francis became the head of the Catholic Church in 2013, following the rare resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI—the third such resignation in history. Predicting the next Pope is challenging, but leading candidates include Cardinal Péter Erdő from Hungary, Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke from the USA, and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Photos: Legion-Media.com, Getty Images

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