Papal Conclave: How the Next Pope Is Chosen After Pope Francis' Death

How the Papal Conclave Unfolds After the Death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025, has thrown the Catholic Church into the unique drama of the papal conclave. This secretive ritual for picking a new leader has drawn the world’s attention to the Papal Conclave at the Vatican. Here’s how it all unfolds, behind both literal and figurative closed doors.

The College of Cardinals is a global group, with 252 members—but they don’t all get a say this time. Only those under the age of 80—138 cardinals in all—qualify to join the closed-door vote. These men descend on Rome, gathering in the Sistine Chapel, themselves cut off from the world by lockdown protocols. About two weeks after the pope’s death, everything kicks off with a solemn Mass. Then comes the dramatic “extra omnes” moment: everyone not involved in the proceedings is sent out, and the chapel is sealed.

The Conclave Ritual: Voting, Security, and Secrecy

The process is thick with ceremony and tight rules. Cardinals take an unbreakable oath to protect the proceedings’ secrecy—no one’s tweeting, texting, or even logging the details. Their phone signals are jammed. Even family and close aides are left in the dark.

Each cardinal handwrites his choice for new Pope on a special ballot—the phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” tops the paper. Nine specially chosen cardinals oversee this: three count the ballots, three gather votes from anyone too sick to leave their rooms, and three double-check the math. Not just anyone can walk away with victory. A two-thirds majority must agree on a single candidate—so, at least 92 votes among the 138. If no candidate hits that mark, the process repeats—up to four times a day. Watching outside, the world sees only puffs of smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black for no winner, white when the new pope is at last chosen.

Before the conclave, there’s a burst of administrative and ceremonial activity. The camerlengo—the Vatican’s chief administrator temporarily running things—confirms Pope Francis’ death. He also breaks the papal ring and seal, making it clear that the seat is truly empty. Then come the Novendiales: nine straight days of mourning Masses and meetings for the cardinals to get their bearings and discuss what’s at stake.

• The conclave takes place 15-20 days after the pope’s death.
• All discussion and voting are strictly confidential.
• Smoke signals remain the public’s only clue about what’s happening inside.

The Vatican, as usual, refuses to discuss likely frontrunners, but speculation points toward high-profile cardinals with global influence or deep roots in Vatican leadership. Despite insider chatter about possible successors, names don’t leak—at least not officially. Until that famous announcement on the balcony (“Habemus Papam”), the identity of the next pope is one of the world’s best-guarded secrets.