Papal Conclave Explained – What Happens When a New Pope Is Needed
If you’ve ever seen a news flash about white smoke rising from the Vatican, you know a papal conclave has just finished. But most people don’t know what goes on behind those closed doors. This guide breaks down the whole process in simple steps so you can understand how a new pope is chosen.
What Triggers a Conclave?
A conclave starts when the current pope dies or resigns. The last time a pope resigned was in 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI stepped down. Once the seat is vacant, the Vatican’s College of Cardinals is called to Rome. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote, which usually means around 120 people gather in the Sistine Chapel.
Before voting begins, the cardinals take an oath of secrecy. They promise not to discuss what happens inside the chapel, and the Vatican even blocks phones and internet signals. The whole idea is to keep the election free from outside influence.
The Voting Process Step by Step
Voting is done by secret ballot. Each cardinal writes down a name on a paper, folds it, and drops it into a chalice. After the votes are counted, the ballots are burned. If the result is a two‑thirds majority, the black smoke (called fumata nera) rises, signaling that no pope has been chosen yet.
If a two‑thirds majority is reached, the smoke turns white (fumata bianca). That’s the signal the world watches for. The new pope then steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and says, “I am the Pope of God, the servant of the servants of God.”
The whole process can take a few days or stretch into weeks. In 2013, it took just two days; in 2005, it took four. The longest recent conclave was in 1978, lasting 33 days before Pope John Paul II was elected.
Once elected, the new pope chooses his papal name—like Francis, Benedict, or John. He also receives the pallium, a special woolen band, and the Fisherman’s Ring, which bears an image of St. Peter’s keys.
That’s the core of a papal conclave: a secret vote, black smoke for no decision, white smoke for yes, and a new leader for over a billion Catholics worldwide. Next time you see the white plume over the Vatican, you’ll know exactly what it means.
Kieran Lockhart, Apr, 22 2025
The papal conclave is a secretive process in the Vatican where cardinals under 80 vote, under strict isolation, to elect a new pope. The procedure includes daily ballots, intense security, and centuries-old rituals, all to reach a two-thirds majority needed for choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church.
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