When a pope dies or resigns, an ancient tradition unfolds behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel to select the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, a process steeped in secrecy, ritual, and divine guidance.
Key Takeaways
- The papal conclave begins 15-20 days after a pope’s death, with only cardinals under 80 years old (currently 135) eligible to participate in the secret election.
- Cardinals vote in the Sistine Chapel up to four times daily until a two-thirds majority is achieved, with results signaled by smoke from a chimney—black for no decision, white for a new pope.
- The process includes taking an oath of secrecy under threat of excommunication and residing in the simple Domus Sanctae Marthae during deliberations.
- When elected, the new pope chooses his papal name and appears on St. Peter’s Basilica balcony after the proclamation “Habemus Papam!” (We have a pope!).
- The conclave tradition dates back to the 13th century when cardinals were literally locked in “with a key” (cum clave) and put on bread and water until they selected a new pope.
The Vacancy and Preparation Period
When a pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church immediately passes to the College of Cardinals. The camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, administers the Holy See during this interim period. Traditional funeral rites for a deceased pope last nine days, followed by a preparation period of general congregations where cardinals from around the world gather to discuss the Church’s needs and prepare for the upcoming election.
Only cardinals under 80 years old can participate in the conclave, with 135 currently eligible. These cardinals—bishops and Vatican officials appointed by previous popes and identifiable by their red vestments—represent the global Church. During this preparatory period, certain decisions that only a pope can make, such as appointing bishops, must wait until after the election of a new pontiff.
Once the period of mourning for Pope Francis is done, the centuries-old tradition of selecting a new pope, known as the conclave, gets underway. NBC’s Keir Simmons reports for TODAY about the process that’s shrouded in secrecy. https://t.co/8qlO6yXxcd
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 21, 2025
The Conclave Begins
The term conclave comes from the Latin phrase “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” reflecting the historical practice of literally locking cardinals in until they reached a decision. “They locked the cardinals up behind closed doors, and then they put them on water and bread so that they would focus on the essentials,” explains Kurt Martens, a canon law professor at Catholic University of America.
The conclave officially begins with a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel. There, cardinals take an oath of absolute secrecy under threat of excommunication. The Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations then declares “Extra omnes” (everyone out), and all non-participants must leave. The doors are locked, and the cardinals remain sequestered until a new pope is elected.
The Voting Process
The voting process follows strict protocols. Each cardinal receives a rectangular ballot, upon which they write their chosen candidate’s name, fold the ballot, and proceed one by one to the altar. Each cardinal places his ballot on a plate, then tips it into a specially designed urn, making an oath that he has voted according to his conscience.
Voting occurs four times daily until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. After each unsuccessful round, the ballots are burned with chemical additives that produce black smoke, visible from St. Peter’s Square. This signals to the waiting world that no pope has been elected. When a pope is finally chosen, white smoke billows from the chimney.
The New Pope’s Acceptance and Presentation
Once elected, the cardinal dean asks the chosen candidate: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” After acceptance, the new pope is asked by what name he wishes to be called. He is then led to the “Room of Tears,” a small chamber where he dons the white papal vestments. Meanwhile, the senior cardinal deacon appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce to the waiting crowd.
The cardinal then announces the new pope’s name, and moments later, the pope himself appears on the balcony to deliver his first apostolic blessing. This historic moment marks the beginning of a new papacy and a new chapter in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history. In recent times, conclaves have typically lasted less than four days, with the new pope quickly assuming his responsibilities as the spiritual leader of Catholics worldwide.
