Papal Conclave Begins: Cardinals Gather to Elect New Pope
The Vatican buzzes with activity as 133 cardinals from around the world begin the papal conclave in the Sistine Chapel. This secretive and sacred process will elect the next pope.
The conclave follows the April 21, 2025 death of Pope Francis at age 88. This is the largest conclave in history, with cardinals from 71 countries. Its diversity makes it one of the most unpredictable elections in the Church’s 2,000-year history.
As the world watches, cardinals will vote until they choose a new leader for the 1.4 billion Catholics. White smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney will signal the decision.
What Is the Papal Conclave?
The Catholic Church uses the papal conclave to choose a new pope. The term “conclave” comes from Latin, meaning “locked with a key,” pointing to its secrecy.
Cardinals, senior church leaders, meet in the Sistine Chapel under strict controls. This tradition has remained mostly unchanged for 800 years, blending prayer, ritual, and privacy.
The process starts with a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Then the cardinals walk in a solemn procession to the chapel. Once inside, officials seal the doors. The announcement “extra omnes” (everyone out) clears the room of non-voters.
Authorities block mobile signals in Vatican City and sweep the chapel for hidden devices. Cardinals swear an oath of secrecy and risk excommunication if they reveal details.
Voting happens in rounds, with two ballots each morning and evening. Each cardinal writes a candidate’s name on a ballot and drops it into a silver urn.
Three scrutineers read the votes aloud. A candidate needs a two-thirds majority—at least 89 votes in this conclave—to win. If no one reaches that, the burned ballots produce black smoke, signaling no result.
When a pope is elected, the burned ballots produce white smoke. Then comes the balcony announcement: “Habemus Papam” (We have a pope).
The conclave can last hours or days. Though rare, some have stretched to weeks. The longest, from 1268 to 1271, lasted nearly three years due to political fights.
By contrast, Pope Francis was elected in 2013 after just two days and five ballots. This year’s conclave may take longer. Many cardinals are unfamiliar with each other and need time to build consensus.
Who Are the Cardinals?
Cardinals serve as the pope’s top advisors and lead major dioceses or Vatican departments.
Popes appoint cardinals. Only those under 80 can vote in a conclave, though older cardinals may still be elected pope. Of the 252 cardinals alive today, 135 are eligible to vote. This year, 133 are participating. Two remain absent due to health or other reasons.
This is the most diverse conclave ever, with cardinals from 71 countries. Europe has 53, Asia 23, Africa 19, the Americas 27, and Oceania 11.
The United States has 10 voting cardinals, second to Italy’s 17. Pope Francis appointed 108 of the 133 electors. His choices reflect a focus on diversity and the Global South. This includes cardinals from Mongolia and South Sudan.
Cardinals play important roles beyond elections. They oversee dioceses and manage Vatican departments. Before the conclave, they met in “general congregations” for two weeks. These meetings addressed the Church’s major challenges—climate change, finances, and abuse scandals.
The meetings also helped them learn about possible candidates. Open campaigning is discouraged. Excessive ambition can hurt a cardinal’s chances.
Why Is the Pope Important?
The pope leads 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Catholics see him as the successor of St. Peter, whom Jesus appointed as the first pope. He holds full authority over church teaching, governance, and doctrine. He also rules Vatican City, a sovereign nation, which gives him global influence.
Popes often shape debates on global issues such as war, poverty, and climate change. Pope Francis was known for championing the poor, supporting the environment, and promoting inclusion. He endorsed same-sex blessings and tried to reform the Church. His death leaves the Church at a turning point. Cardinals must decide whether to continue his reforms or take a more conservative path.
The next pope will face deep divisions, declining membership in the West, and political pressures. Groups like the Napa Institute are trying to sway the conclave. The pope’s choices will influence ethics, justice, and diplomacy worldwide.
How Is the Pope Elected?
Ritual and structure define the voting process. On the first day, cardinals cast one ballot in the afternoon. If they don’t elect a pope, they continue with four ballots daily—two each morning and evening. Scrutineers count every vote with care.
After three days without a result, cardinals pause for prayer and reflection. Voting resumes the next day.
If 33 ballots fail, the 34th begins a runoff. Only the top two candidates can remain. They lose the right to vote in that round. Though rare, this rule ensures a conclusion. Recent conclaves usually end well before reaching this stage.
Once a candidate earns two-thirds support, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks if he accepts. If he does, he chooses a papal name and enters the “Room of Tears” to change into white vestments. These robes come in three sizes to fit anyone. The new pope then appears on the balcony to greet the crowd.
Technically, any unmarried, baptized Catholic man can be elected. But the Church has chosen only cardinals for over 600 years. Secrecy protects the process from outside influence. Still, some groups try to interfere through reports and media.
Despite this, conclave isolation and the oath of secrecy aim to keep the choice with the cardinals.
Who Are the Candidates?
Conclaves often defy predictions. An old Vatican saying warns, “He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves as a cardinal.” Frontrunners rarely win.
Still, four cardinals appear to lead this time. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, the Vatican’s secretary of state, is close to Francis. Cardinal Peter Erdő, 72, comes from Hungary. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, serves in France. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, leads the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Parolin has strong backing, but nothing is certain due to the conclave’s diversity.
Other possible contenders include Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines. Some see Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, 72, from Morocco, and Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, an American working in the Vatican, as long shots. Asian cardinals, led by Japan’s Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, may form a bloc, which could boost Tagle. British cardinals like Arthur Roche, 74, may not win but could affect voting patterns.
The next pope must unite the Church, lead a troubled world, and balance modern concerns with tradition. Whether cardinals choose a reformer or a conservative, the new pope will guide the Church’s future. The world now waits for white smoke to mark this historic turning point.
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