When the papal throne becomes vacant, an ancient and secretive process unfolds behind the Vatican’s closed doors, employing rituals dating back centuries to select the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
Quick Takes
- The conclave begins 15-20 days after a pope’s death, with 135 cardinals under age 80 eligible to participate in the election
- Cardinals are sequestered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel and take an oath of secrecy under penalty of excommunication
- Voting requires a two-thirds majority, with ballots burned after each round producing black smoke (no decision) or white smoke (new pope elected)
- The process typically concludes within four days, ending with the announcement “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”)
- During the vacancy, Cardinal Kevin Farrell serves as camerlengo, administering the Holy See until a new pope is chosen
The Historical Foundation of the Papal Conclave
The papal conclave represents one of Catholicism’s most enduring traditions, evolving from medieval practices designed to ensure a focused and divinely guided process. The very term “conclave” originates from Latin “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” reflecting how cardinals are literally locked away until they reach a decision. This seclusion serves both practical and spiritual purposes, insulating the electors from outside influences while creating an atmosphere of prayer and discernment befitting the gravity of choosing a successor to St. Peter.
“That actually comes from the 13th century,” explains Bry Jensen. “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,” elaborated Kurt Martens, a canon law professor at Catholic University of America.
While modern conclaves no longer subject cardinals to such harsh conditions, they maintain the essential elements of isolation and secrecy. Following a pope’s death, a nine-day mourning period begins, after which eligible cardinals gather in Rome. Only those under 80 years old may vote – currently 135 individuals from around the world – ensuring the process balances tradition with reasonable physical demands on the electors.
The Meticulous Conclave Process
The conclave formally begins with a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the cardinals’ procession into the Sistine Chapel. Once inside, each cardinal swears a solemn oath of secrecy, binding them under penalty of excommunication not to reveal the proceedings. The Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations then declares “Extra omnes” (“Everyone out”), and the wooden doors close, beginning the isolation period.
Voting follows a precisely choreographed routine. Cardinals receive ballots and write their chosen candidate’s name, fold the ballot twice, and process individually to the altar. The ballot is then placed upon a plate and slipped into a specially designed urn. Four rounds of voting occur daily—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—until someone receives the required two-thirds majority.
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
Smoke Signals and the New Pontiff
The conclave’s most visible aspect to the outside world comes through its traditional smoke signals. After each voting session, the ballots are burned in a special stove inside the Sistine Chapel. Chemical additives produce the distinctive color – black smoke indicating an inconclusive vote, white smoke announcing a successful election. This system dates back centuries, though it has been modernized with chemical components to ensure the color is unmistakable to the waiting crowds in St. Peter’s Square.
Once a cardinal receives the necessary votes, the Dean of the College of Cardinals approaches him and asks the momentous question: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” Upon acceptance, the new pope chooses his papal name, symbolizing his spiritual lineage and mission. He is then led to the “Room of Tears” adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, where he dons the traditional white papal vestments.
The cardinal protodeacon then steps onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to proclaim to the waiting world: “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”), announcing the new pontiff’s chosen papal name. Moments later, the newly elected pope appears on the balcony to deliver his first blessing, beginning a new chapter in the Church’s history.
