Explainer: How the Catholic church elects a new pope

International

THE death or resignation of a pope is the beginning of one of the world’s most solemn and secretive electoral processes: the selection of the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

For more than two millennia, the papacy has stood at the center of global Catholicism, and the election of a new pontiff is a moment that commands the attention of millions, inside and outside the Church.

With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88, many are now asking: How does the Catholic Church choose a new pope?

The sede vacante

The period between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of his successor is called sede vacante, Latin for "the vacant seat."

During this time, the Catholic Church’s usual chain of command is suspended.

The ordinary affairs of the Vatican are entrusted to the camerlengo, the cardinal chamberlain, who assumes administrative responsibility but does not have the authority to make decisions reserved for the pope.

Upon the pontiff’s death, the camerlengo is responsible for formally verifying it through a prescribed ritual and overseeing the immediate arrangements, including the pope’s funeral.

Tradition dictates nine official days of mourning, known as novemdiales, during which prayers and memorial Masses are offered.

The funeral typically takes place within four to six days of the pope’s death, and world leaders, clergy, and faithful pilgrims gather at St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their last respects.

The College of Cardinals

The duty of electing the new pope rests solely with the College of Cardinals. It is the body of senior church leaders appointed by the pope himself over the years.

While the total number of cardinals usually exceeds 200, only those under the age of 80 at the time the papacy becomes vacant, known as cardinal electors, are eligible to vote in the conclave.

These electors, who come from all corners of the world, are summoned to Rome as soon as possible during the sede vacante.

Their first task is to participate in a series of general congregations —meetings in which the cardinals discuss the state of the Church, the challenges it faces, and the qualities they believe the next pope must embody.

These gatherings also serve to foster unity and reflection ahead of the conclave.

Conclave

Roughly 15 to 20 days after the papacy becomes vacant, the cardinals assemble for the conclave, the actual papal election.

The term “conclave” is derived from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key” — a nod to the physical isolation and secrecy that defines this phase.

The conclave is held inside the Sistine Chapel, under the gaze of Michelangelo’s masterpiece The Last Judgment.

Before the voting begins, the cardinal electors participate in a solemn Mass invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Following the Mass, the cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel, where the words extra omnes ("everyone out") are pronounced, signaling that only the electors and a handful of essential staff may remain.

The chapel doors are then locked.

Voting

The election of the pope is conducted through a secret ballot.

The cardinal electors cast their votes on slips of paper bearing the Latin phrase eligo in summum pontificem (“I elect as supreme pontiff”) and write the name of their chosen candidate.

Each cardinal, in turn, approaches the altar beneath Michelangelo’s fresco, recites a prayer, and places the folded ballot into a chalice.

After each round, the ballots are collected and counted aloud by three designated cardinal scrutineers.

A two-thirds majority is required for election, a rule designed to ensure broad consensus.

The cardinals typically hold four rounds of voting per day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

After each vote, the ballots are burned in a stove within the Sistine Chapel.

Chemicals are added to the fire to produce either black or white smoke, which rises from a chimney visible to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Black smoke indicates that no candidate has reached the required majority; white smoke proclaims that a new pope has been chosen.

If repeated rounds of voting fail to produce a result, the cardinals may pause the process after several days to allow for prayer, reflection, and informal discussion, before resuming the ballots.

"Habemus Papam"

Once a cardinal achieves the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals approaches him and asks the pivotal question: Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem? (“Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”).

If the elected candidate accepts, he is immediately asked to choose the name under which he will serve as pope.

The new pope then withdraws to the so-called "Room of Tears" adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, where he dons papal vestments tailored in advance in several sizes to account for the unknown identity of the future pope.

When he is ready, he returns to meet the cardinals, who individually pledge their obedience.

Finally, the senior cardinal deacon steps onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and delivers the historic words: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus papam — “I announce to you with great joy: We have a pope.”

Moments later, the newly elected pontiff appears before the world and bestows his first blessing as the Bishop of Rome.(TGP)

Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops