How the New Pope is Chosen: The Vatican Conclave Process

Pope Death and Succession: Understanding the Vatican Procedure

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Published in 04-21-2025

Photo: Ashwin Vaswani
How Is a New Pope Elected After the Death of Pope Francis?

The passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88 has initiated the traditional and solemn process of electing a new leader for the Catholic Church. This process, known as the conclave, is steeped in centuries of tradition and governed by strict protocols.

1: Sede Vacante
Upon the Pope's death, the Vatican enters a period called sede vacante, meaning "the seat being vacant." During this time, the Camerlengo currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell officially confirms the Pope's death and assumes limited administrative responsibilities. The Pope's body is then displayed in St. Peter's Basilica for the faithful to pay their respects.

2: Congregations and Funeral
The funeral of Pope Francis is scheduled to occur between four and six days after his death, following a simplified ritual he approved in 2024. Concurrently, the General Congregations of cardinals convene to discuss the Church's current state and prepare for the conclave. These meetings are crucial for setting the stage for the upcoming election.

3: The Conclave
The conclave begins 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, totaling 135 electors, with 108 appointed by Pope Francis himself. The process commences with a solemn Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, followed by the cardinals' procession into the Sistine Chapel. There, they take an oath of secrecy and are secluded from the outside world.

Electing the Pope: A Look Inside the Vatican Conclave

Photo: Caleb Miller
4: Voting Process
Each day, up to four ballots are cast?two in the morning and two in the afternoon. A two-thirds majority (currently 90 votes) is required to elect a new Pope. If no candidate achieves this majority after 34 ballots, the process narrows to the two most-voted candidates, and a simple majority suffices. The ballots are burned after each round, with the smoke indicating the outcome: black for inconclusive, white for a successful election.

5: Acceptance and Announcement
Once a cardinal receives the necessary votes, he is asked if he accepts the papacy. Upon acceptance, he chooses a papal name. The senior cardinal deacon then announces the new Pope to the world with the traditional phrase: "Habemus Papam". The new Pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to give his first blessing.

Photo: Leandro Silva
Cardinals under 80 lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel and vote secretly until one of them obtains a two-thirds majority. Once elected, the new Pope accepts his office and chooses a papal name.

For a more detailed explanation of the conclave process, you can refer to this comprehensive article: Conclave: the Vatican's secret process for choosing a new pope.