The Roman Catholic Church is once again preparing to undertake one of its most sacred and time-honored rituals—the conclave to elect a new pope. Following the death of Pope Francis, cardinal electors from around the world are set to begin this solemn process on Wednesday, adhering to centuries-old customs that blend spiritual reflection with intricate tradition.
The world will look to the Vatican for the symbolic appearance of white smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, accompanied by the tolling of bells—both serving as global signals that a new pontiff has been chosen to lead the Church’s 1.3 billion followers. But before this anticipated moment, a deeply reverent and highly confidential selection process will unfold behind closed doors.
Derived from the Latin phrase “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” the term conclave signifies the seclusion of the cardinal electors in a locked and secure space. In keeping with this tradition, the cardinals will be isolated from the outside world—cut off from all forms of communication including newspapers, television, internet, telephones, and mail—until a new pope is elected.
The sacred venue for this process is the Sistine Chapel, renowned for its breathtaking ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo. Before the voting begins, the cardinals take an oath of absolute secrecy to protect the integrity and sanctity of the proceedings.
During the conclave, the cardinals will reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Saint Martha House), a modern Vatican guest residence that replaced the more austere quarters in the Apostolic Palace previously used until 2005.
Although any baptized male Catholic is technically eligible for election, in practice, the pope is almost always chosen from among the College of Cardinals. There is no official list of nominees; instead, each cardinal casts a confidential vote by writing a name on a paper headed with the Latin phrase “Eligo in summum pontificem…” (“I elect as supreme pontiff…”). To ensure anonymity and avoid indications of bias, cardinals are even encouraged to disguise their handwriting.
On the first day, one round of voting is conducted, followed by up to four rounds on each subsequent day. If, after three full days, no candidate secures the required two-thirds majority, the conclave is temporarily paused for a day of prayer and informal reflection, as outlined in Pope John Paul II’s 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis (“The Lord’s Whole Flock”).
The election procedure involves three specially designated urns: one for casting votes, one for storing counted ballots, and a third to collect ballots from any infirm cardinals who cannot be physically present in the chapel. After each vote, the ballots are strung together and burned. Black smoke indicates an inconclusive result, while white smoke signifies that a new pope has been elected.
Though past papal elections sometimes stretched over months or even years, recent conclaves have concluded within a week. Once a cardinal receives the necessary majority and accepts the position, he immediately becomes the new pope and chooses a papal name, often inspired by a previous pope or revered saint.
As tradition dictates, the world will be officially informed when French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the current cardinal protodeacon, emerges onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to make the historic proclamation: “Habemus papam”—“We have a pope.”
