As Catholics around the world prepare for the next chapter in Church leadership, attention is turning to the centuries-old process that will determine how the next pope will be chosen.
The Vatican has announced that the conclave—the secretive election procedure—will begin on Wednesday to select a successor to Pope Francis. Despite their sometimes long history, no conclave has taken more than a week in recent times.
The word “conclave” comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key,” reflecting the tradition of locking the cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel until they reach an agreement. During this time, the cardinals—who must take an oath of secrecy—are cut off entirely from the outside world. No phones, no newspapers, no emails, and no contact with anyone not involved.
Voting takes place beneath Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Cardinals will write their preferred candidate’s name on a slip of paper that begins with the Latin words Eligo in summum pontificem (I elect as supreme pontiff…). They are even advised to disguise their handwriting to maintain secrecy.
Although any baptized Catholic male could theoretically become pope, how the next pope will be chosen in reality will involve only the College of Cardinals. There is no official candidate list—just repeated ballots until a two-thirds majority is reached.
On the first day, one vote is held. On the following days, four votes take place daily—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. If three days pass without a decision, the process pauses briefly for prayer and informal talks, before resuming.
Ballots are burned after every round. Black smoke signals no decision; white smoke tells the world that a new pope has been elected. Bells also ring in celebration.
The newly elected pope is asked if he accepts the role. If he agrees, he immediately becomes pope and chooses a name—often inspired by a previous pontiff or saint. Then comes the famous moment when the senior cardinal steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and declares to the world: Habemus papam—“We have a pope.”
This ancient yet modernized ritual is once again drawing global attention, as Catholics await to see how the next pope will be chosen and who will lead the Church into its future.
