By Fr. Glenn Jones:
My, my … rather a busy news week with Pope Francis passing away early Easter Monday. We who are older remember when Pope Paul VI died, and then John Paul I was elected—living only 33 days to the shock of the world. Then Pope John Paul II was elected and held his office for over 26 years. So, then we had two papal elections in the space of a couple of months.
Francis was pope for over twelve years, so it’s been a while since we had a papal election. So, with a “little” help from A.I., I thought readers might be interested in what to expect over the next couple of weeks—Catholic or not. After all, the pope IS undeniably one of the most influential religious leaders in the world, so the election will no doubt dominate the news, and you might be interested in being familiar with terms and processes.
So … take it away, Mr. A.I.
The election of a new pope is a centuries-old process steeped in tradition, secrecy, and spiritual gravity. The papal conclave involves a select group of cardinals who gather to choose the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. The process is governed by strict rules, blending ancient customs with modern adaptations, and is designed to ensure continuity of leadership while reflecting the Church’s global mission.
When the papacy becomes vacant, it’s termed sede vacante (Latin for “the seat being vacant”). This typically occurs upon the death of a pope (Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013 being a rare exception). Upon a pope’s death, the Camerlengo, a cardinal responsible for managing the Church’s affairs during the interim between popes (interregnum), verifies the death by calling the pope’s name three times and, by ancient (if rather unusual) tradition, tapping his forehead with a silver hammer. Once confirmed, the Camerlengo assumes temporary administrative duties, ensuring the Church’s operations continue smoothly.
During this period, and as you’ve likely seen in the news, the College of Cardinals, the body responsible for electing the pope, prepares for the conclave. The Vatican issues a formal announcement, and cardinals from around the world travel to Rome. The conclave must begin no sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the vacancy, allowing time for cardinals to arrive and for funeral rites or preparations to conclude.
The term “conclave” derives from the Latin cum clave (“with a key”), reflecting the historical practice of locking cardinals in a secluded area to ensure secrecy and focus. In the current arrangement, the conclave takes place within the Vatican, primarily in the Sistine Chapel, where voting occurs. Only cardinals under the age of 80 at the time of the vacancy are eligible to vote, and the maximum number of electors is capped at 120, though this number can vary slightly due to appointments or aging out.
Before voting begins, the cardinals participate in a series of preparatory meetings called General Congregations—again in the news lately. These meetings, held in the days leading up to the conclave, allow cardinals to discuss the state of the Church, the qualities needed in the next pope, and logistical arrangements. To maintain secrecy, the conclave area is swept for electronic devices, and all non-essential personnel are excluded.
On the day the conclave begins, after Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the cardinals proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where they take an oath of secrecy, pledging to follow the conclave’s rules and to protect the process’s integrity. Once the oath is taken, the master of pontifical liturgical ceremonies pronounces the phrase Extra Omnes (“Everyone out”), and all non-electors leave, sealing the conclave.
The heart of the conclave is the voting process. The cardinals vote by secret ballot, with each round, or scrutiny, involving the writing, casting, and counting of votes. To be elected, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes, ensuring broad consensus among the electors.
Each cardinal writes the name of their chosen candidate on a rectangular ballot, disguising their handwriting to maintain anonymity. The ballots are folded, collected, and counted by designated officials known as scrutators, infirmarii collect votes from ill cardinals, and revisers verify the count; these roles, too, are filled by cardinals chosen from among the electors. If no candidate achieves the required majority, the ballots are burned with a chemical additive producing black smoke, signaling to the world that no pope has been elected. This smoke, visible from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, is a hallmark of the conclave.
Voting occurs in rounds, typically two in the morning and two in the afternoon, until a pope is chosen. If no candidate secures a two-thirds majority after several days, the cardinals may pause for a day of prayer and discussion or adjust the rules to require only a simple majority, though this is rare. The process continues until a decision is reached.
When a candidate achieves the necessary two-thirds majority, the Dean of the College of Cardinals asks the elected cardinal if he accepts the election, and if so, what name he will take as pope. Upon acceptance, the new pope is immediately vested with papal authority. The ballots are burned with a different chemical, producing white smoke, signaling to the world that a new pope has been chosen.
The new pope then appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, introduced with the Latin phrase Habemus Papam (“We have a pope!”). The pope delivers his first blessing, Urbi et Orbi (“To the city and the world”), marking the start of his pontificate.
The election of a pope is a blend of tradition, spirituality, and governance, designed to ensure the Catholic Church’s continuity while adapting to the needs of the modern world. From the solemn preparations during sede vacante to the secrecy of the Sistine Chapel’s voting, the conclave reflects the Church’s commitment to discernment and unity. As the white smoke rises and Habemus Papam echoes across St. Peter’s Square, the world witnesses the culmination of a process that has shaped the Church for centuries, ushering in a new era under the leadership of whom Catholics recognize as the Vicar of Christ.
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.