Charles Esther
The Catholic Church is about to enter a highly secretive and centuries-old process to select its next leader following the death of Pope Francis.
Known as the conclave, this intricate election process involves the gathering of cardinals from around the world who will convene at the Vatican to decide who will lead the Church.
Here’s a breakdown of how the papal election works and what we can expect in the days ahead.
The Death of Pope Francis and the Start of the Conclave
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, leaves behind a Church that will soon embark on one of its most important processes.
The Vatican announced his death, describing his life as one dedicated to the service of God and the Church.
His passing sets in motion the ancient traditions of papal succession.
Cardinals, who are the highest-ranking Church officials, will be summoned to the Vatican to participate in the election of the next pope.
These cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to deliberate on the future of the Catholic Church, following a practice that has remained largely unchanged for more than 800 years.
Who Votes in the Conclave?
The voting body for the papal election consists of the College of Cardinals. At present, there are 252 cardinals worldwide, but only 138 of them are eligible to vote.
This is because, in 1975, a rule was established excluding cardinals over the age of 80 from participating in papal elections.
These eligible cardinals will be the ones to decide who will succeed Pope Francis.
The maximum number of cardinal electors in a conclave is capped at 120, and all eligible cardinals will travel to the Vatican for the event.
Before the conclave begins, the cardinals will attend a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the start of the election process.
The Conclave Begins: The Seclusion of the Cardinals
The conclave officially commences with a traditional event.
When the words “extra omnes” (Latin for “everyone out”) are uttered, all individuals except the electing cardinals are expelled from the Sistine Chapel.
This is when the cardinals are sealed in the chapel to conduct their voting in complete secrecy.
The cardinals write their votes on a ballot paper that reads “Eligo in summen pontificem” (Latin for “I elect as supreme pontiff”).
Once the ballots are cast, they are collected and counted.
A group of three cardinals, known as the scrutineers, ensures that all votes are properly counted before they are burned to signal the outcome.
The Voting Process: How the New Pope is Chosen
Each day of the conclave, there are four voting rounds.
The cardinals use the ballots to vote for their chosen candidate, with the goal of reaching a two-thirds majority.
In the event of a deadlock, voting continues until the requisite majority is reached.
This process is often time-consuming, and depending on how many rounds of voting are needed, it can take days or even weeks for a decision to be made.
Interestingly, security measures are implemented to ensure that the conclave remains completely private.
From the moment the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, they are cut off from the outside world.
Phones, televisions, and radios are all prohibited, and the cardinals are sequestered in the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guesthouse for the duration of the conclave.
Security and Secrecy: Keeping the Process Confidential
The conclave is one of the most secure events in the world.
In recent years, tight security measures have been introduced to prevent leaks and eavesdropping.
During the last conclave, following Pope Benedict’s resignation in 2013, security teams conducted sweeps for hidden microphones and electronic surveillance devices.
In addition, electronic jamming devices are installed around the Sistine Chapel to block any transmissions.
This ensures that no information leaks to the media, keeping the proceedings as secret as possible until the new pope is chosen.
Duration of the Conclave: How Long Does the Election Take?
There is no predetermined duration for the conclave. In past centuries, some conclaves have stretched on for years.
One notable example is the 1268 conclave, which lasted over two years due to disagreements among the cardinals.
The church even resorted to providing only water and bread to the cardinals to try to force a decision.
However, modern conclaves have been much shorter.
The 2013 conclave, which elected Pope Francis, lasted only two days.
The longest papal conclave in the 20th century took five days.
In the event that the process drags on for too long (over 12–13 days), the cardinals may switch to a majority voting system to speed up the process.
How We’ll Know When a New Pope Has Been Chosen
One of the most anticipated moments of the conclave is the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. White smoke signals that a new pope has been selected.
This is a centuries-old tradition that alerts the faithful gathered outside St. Peter’s Square that a new pontiff has been chosen.
If the election is unsuccessful, black smoke is emitted instead, indicating that the cardinals have yet to reach a decision.
Once a candidate has been chosen, they are asked if they accept the election.
If they do, the conclave ends, and the announcement of “Habemus Papam” (Latin for “We have a pope”) is made.
The newly elected pope will then appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to address the world.
The Identity of the New Pope: The Big Reveal
After the election, the identity of the new pope is a closely guarded secret.
The announcement will come first to the faithful who have gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The pope’s name will be revealed when he steps out to greet the crowd and give his first address.
The conclave, while shrouded in secrecy, is a moment of great significance for Catholics worldwide.
It is a time of reflection and hope for the future of the Church, as the cardinals decide who will lead the Catholic faithful into the next era.
Conclusion
The papal conclave is a deeply traditional and secretive process that has remained unchanged for centuries.
As the College of Cardinals gathers at the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis, they will take on the responsibility of selecting the next pontiff. While the process can be lengthy and the details remain confidential, it is a historic event that brings the Catholic Church one step closer to a new era of leadership.
The world eagerly waits for the announcement of the next pope, as the conclave unfolds within the walls of the Sistine Chapel.
