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With Pope Francis’s passing, the Catholic Church faces one of its most sacred and secretive processes: the conclave to elect a new pope. While the event carries centuries of tradition, many outside the Vatican don’t know how it unfolds.
The word conclave comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key.” That’s because the cardinals—senior church officials from around the world—are locked inside the Sistine Chapel during voting. No phones, no press, no contact with the outside world. The goal is to protect the integrity of the decision and shield the cardinals from political or media influence.
The process starts with the College of Cardinals gathering in Rome. Only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, which currently amounts to about 120 cardinals. Before voting begins, they attend daily Mass and hold meetings—called General Congregations—to discuss the needs of the Church and the qualities they want in a new pope.
When they’re ready to vote, they move into the Sistine Chapel. The voting happens in rounds. Each cardinal writes the name of his choice on a ballot, folds it, and places it in a chalice. The votes are then counted and read aloud by designated scrutineers. To be elected pope, a cardinal must receive a two-thirds majority.
After each voting round, the ballots are burned in a special stove inside the chapel. Chemicals are added to produce either black smoke—fumata nera, signaling no pope yet—or white smoke—fumata bianca, signaling a successful election. When white smoke rises, bells ring across Rome, and the world knows a new pope has been chosen.
Once someone reaches the required votes, he’s asked if he accepts. If he does, he chooses a papal name and dons white robes. Shortly after, he appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the public with the famous words “Habemus Papam”—“We have a Pope.”
The conclave is a rare and solemn moment. It blends ritual, secrecy, and a sense of global importance. In the coming days, all eyes will turn to the Sistine Chapel again, waiting for the smoke that signals the future of the Catholic Church.
- hector pascua/picture: ai generated
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