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.
Evelyn Monroig
April 21, 2025 AT 23:16They never tell us the real reason Pope Francis died. The Vatican’s shadow cabal already had a successor lined up centuries ago. All those 'smoke signals' are just a theatrical cover for a pre‑programmed power shift. Wake up, people!
Gerald Hornsby
April 22, 2025 AT 23:16Life imitates ritual, :)
Hina Tiwari
April 23, 2025 AT 23:16i feel like the whole world is holding its breath, waiting for a sign that something... like hope maybe? it’s hard to imagine the weight on those cardinals, especially after covid restrictions. my thoughts are with them.
WILL WILLIAMS
April 24, 2025 AT 23:16The smoke’s like a cosmic fireworks show-black, then white, breaking the night in glorious drama!
Barry Hall
April 25, 2025 AT 23:16Respect to the cardinals for keeping it secret 😐
abi rama
April 26, 2025 AT 23:16We’ll get a new shepherd soon; this is a chance for fresh inspiration!
Megan Riley
April 27, 2025 AT 23:16Wow!!!, the whole process is unbelievably intricate, and yet it’s shrouded in centuries‑old mystique, which makes it both fascinating and terrifying, don’t you think??
Lester Focke
April 28, 2025 AT 23:16The procedural rigor of the conclave illustrates the Catholic Church’s steadfast commitment to canonical orthodoxy, a testament to institutional continuity amidst contemporary tumult.
Naveen Kumar Lokanatha
April 29, 2025 AT 23:16The camerlengo’s duties are largely symbolic yet crucial for maintaining the legitimacy of the papal vacancy and subsequent election
Alastair Moreton
April 30, 2025 AT 23:16Another day, another smoke signal-guess the Vatican’s still got the same old drama.
Surya Shrestha
May 1, 2025 AT 23:16Indeed, the complexity of double‑checking ballots is a marvel of ecclesiastical administration; such meticulousness ensures incontrovertible legitimacy; awe‑inspiring!
Rahul kumar
May 2, 2025 AT 23:16The papal conclave is a centuries‑old institution that blends spiritual solemnity with ancient procedural safeguards.
When Pope Francis passed away, the camerlengo officially announced the death and broke the ring of office, a symbolic act that signals the vacancy.
Only cardinals under the age of eighty are eligible to vote, which currently limits the electors to 138 men from every continent.
These electors are sequestered in the Domus Sanctae Marthae and then escorted to the Sistine Chapel, where they live under strict isolation.
All electronic communication is jammed, and even visitors are barred, ensuring no external influence can seep into the deliberations.
Each ballot is handwritten, bearing the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem,” and placed in a chalice that is later counted by three designated scrutineers.
The required super‑majority is two‑thirds of the votes, meaning at least ninety‑two of the one‑hundred and thirty‑eight must agree on a single candidate.
If no candidate reaches that threshold, the voting proceeds in up to four rounds per day, with brief intermissions for prayer.
After each inconclusive ballot, the black smoke billows from the chimney, a visual cue that the College has not yet reached a decision.
Conversely, white smoke rises when a bishop achieves the requisite majority, prompting the famous “Habemus Papam” announcement.
The entire process can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the unity of the electors and the presence of a clear front‑runner.
Historically, the longest conclave lasted 33 days in 1268, while the shortest was a single day in 1978.
The secrecy oath taken by each cardinal underscores the Church’s emphasis on confidentiality, reinforcing the mystique surrounding the election.
In recent years, the Vatican has introduced medical screenings and contingency plans to accommodate cardinals who are ill or travel‑restricted.
The conclave thus serves not only as a mechanism for selecting a spiritual leader but also as a demonstration of institutional resilience.
Ultimately, the world watches the smoke with hope and curiosity, awaiting the moment when a new pope steps onto the balcony to lead the faithful.
mary oconnell
May 3, 2025 AT 23:16Ah, the age‑old smoke show-truly the pinnacle of 21st‑century transparency, all wrapped in incense and gilded robes, no?
Michael Laffitte
May 4, 2025 AT 23:16Let the heavens echo with our prayers, for a new shepherd shall rise from this veil of mystery!
sahil jain
May 5, 2025 AT 23:16The procedural timeline ensures continuity without external pressure, a clever safeguard for any institution.
Bruce Moncrieff
May 6, 2025 AT 23:16Can we ever truly know what whispers echo behind those vaulted walls, or are we forever left to imagine the divine drama playing out in the Sistine shadows?
Dee Boyd
May 7, 2025 AT 23:16It is morally incumbent that we scrutinize the secrecy of the conclave, lest the veil become a shield for unchecked power.