Conclave to elect next pope will begin May 7
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave May 7, the Vatican announced.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave May 7, the Vatican announced.
The cardinals will first celebrate the “Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff” in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning before processing into the Sistine Chapel that evening.
The Vatican Museums announced that the Sistine Chapel would be closed to visitors beginning April 28 to allow preparations for the conclave to begin. The preparations include the installation of a stove to burn the cardinals’ ballots and a chimney on the roof to signal the election results to the world.
The date for the conclave was set during the fifth general congregation meeting of cardinals April 28, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told reporters at a briefing later that day. The general congregation meeting was the first after a two-day pause to allow cardinals to participate in the funeral rites for Pope Francis.
More than 180 cardinals attended the April 28 meeting, including over 100 cardinal electors. During the session, about 20 cardinals offered reflections on the state of the church, its mission in the world, the challenges it faces and the qualities needed in the next pope, Bruni said.
Topics addressed included evangelization, interfaith relations and the ongoing need to address clerical sexual abuse, he added.
The cardinals also discussed whether Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who relinquished the rights associated with being a cardinal after he was forced to resign in 2020, would be permitted to participate in the conclave. Bruni said no decision had yet been made, and Cardinal Becciu has been attending the general congregation meetings.
Looking ahead to the next session, Bruni said the general congregation meeting April 29 would open with a reflection by Benedictine Father Donato Ogliari, abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome and a member of the Dicastery for Bishops.
As cardinals entered the Vatican for the morning’s session, Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm was asked by reporters if he expected a long conclave. “I think it will be,” he said, “because up to now we don’t know each other.”
Meanwhile, Cardinal Walter Kasper, former president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity who is past the age limit to vote in the conclave, told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that he hopes the cardinal-electors “come to a consensus on the next pope very soon, in the footsteps of Francis.”
Where – and When – to Watch for White Smoke
By OSV News
(April 29, 2025) – The conclave is set to begin May 7, but the public only knows its end by iconic white smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
(April 29, 2025) – The conclave is set to begin May 7, but the public only knows its end by iconic white smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
Black smoke means the cardinals have not yet reached the two-thirds majority vote necessary to elect a new pope. The cardinals burn the ballots in a stove, adding chemicals to the fire to color the smoke.
The best place to watch for the smoke is in St. Peter’s Square itself, but the Vatican will also livestream the smoke on its YouTube channel, Vatican Media Live.
For smoke watchers, the best time to view the smoke on May 7, the conclave’s first day, is just after 7 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT). On the following days, look for it around 10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. EDT) and noon, and again at 5:30 p.m. and just after 7 p.m., according to Catholic News Service.
However, the times may vary depending on the cardinals’ prayers and discussions.
“On the second day of the conclave and moving forward, there can be four rounds of voting each day, but only two smoke signals,” according to Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Services’ editor-in-chief. “That is because if the first ballot of the morning or of the afternoon session does not result in an election, a second vote begins immediately, and the two ballots are burned together.”
On Electing a Pope: 10 Frequently Asked Questions Answered
By OSV News
Thousands gather in St. Peter’s Square, waiting for the sign that a new pope has been elected. All watch as the dark wisps of smoke ascending from the Sistine Chapel turn to white, and a cheer arises that will encircle the globe. The new earthly leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been chosen.
Thousands gather in St. Peter’s Square, waiting for the sign that a new pope has been elected. All watch as the dark wisps of smoke ascending from the Sistine Chapel turn to white, and a cheer arises that will encircle the globe. The new earthly leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been chosen.
That will soon be the scene, when the world’s cardinals under the age of 80 gather to elect the successor of Pope Francis, who died April 21 from a stroke and heart failure. The conclave is scheduled to begin May 7.
The following are answers to some commonly asked questions.
1. Who can become pope?
One of the cardinals from the College of Cardinals usually is elevated to the office of pope, but any male in good standing with the church could be elected. If he is not a bishop, he must first be ordained. A layman could be chosen. The election of a heretic or a schismatic, however, is forbidden. Click here for the composition of the College of Cardinals.
2. Who chooses the pope?
The college of electors of the supreme pontiff is composed of the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, excluding those 80 or older. At the time of the pope’s death, 135 of the church’s 252 cardinals were eligible to vote. At least one cardinal has declined to attend, citing health issues. During the time of a papal election, active campaigning is forbidden and debate is frowned on. The cardinals are to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
3. How soon after a pope’s death or resignation is the new pope elected?
At least 15 days after the death of the pope and not more than 20, the cardinals meet in the morning to celebrate the Eucharist. They proceed that afternoon to the Sistine Chapel, where deliberation and voting take place. The cardinals have selected May 7 as the date for the next conclave to begin.
4. Who governs the church until a pope is elected?
During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the chief figure is the cardinal camerlengo (the Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church), currently Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, an Irish-born American and former bishop of Dallas. The camerlengo works with the College of Cardinals in taking care of ordinary church business and emergency matters, but his priority is the election of a new pope. Until then, no one person is the ruling authority for the church. Upon the death of a pope, the cardinals and archbishops who head departments of the Roman Curia cease to exercise their offices. A handful of officials, in particular the camerlengo, continue their functions, submitting to the College of Cardinals matters that would have been referred to the supreme pontiff.
5. What is the conclave?
The conclave, from the Latin words for “with” and “key,” refers to the enclosed meeting of cardinals to elect the pope. Pope Gregory X initiated the practice of locking the doors in 1274 both to prevent outside influences and to hasten the process. The conclave is traditionally held in the Sistine Chapel.
While the electors used to stay in makeshift sleeping quarters around the chapel, they now stay at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (St. Martha’s House), a guest facility for dignitaries and others visiting in the Vatican State, and the place where Pope Francis made his permanent residence.
One of the best-known traditions is the burning of ballots. If the smoke that rises from the Sistine Chapel is black (made so by the addition of chemicals and, in earlier days, damp straw), no pope has been chosen. When the smoke is white, the church rejoices for its new pontiff.
6. How is the pope chosen?
The pope is chosen by secret ballot. During the election, the cardinals are forbidden to communicate with the outside world “whether by writing, by telephone or by any other means of communication.” Before beginning, the cardinals take a solemn oath of secrecy. Then the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations orders all those not taking part in the conclave to leave the Sistine Chapel.
7. What does the voting process look like?
Before the voting begins, several cardinals are chosen by lot to gather the ballots of the sick who cannot attend the regular voting session; others are chosen to “scrutinize” the counting of the ballots. Voting begins with one ballot on the first day. In the following days, if needed, two ballots are held in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The rectangular ballot paper has the words “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I Elect As Supreme Pontiff”) on the upper half and space to write the name of the candidate on the lower half. Cardinals are asked to write the name of the person they choose, then fold the ballot twice. The cardinals carry their ballots to the altar and say aloud: “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected.” They then place the ballot into the receptacle, bow and return to their place.
After all the ballots have been placed in the ballot box, they are immediately counted. Each ballot is pierced with a needle through the word “Eligo” and placed on a thread. After the names have been read out loud, the ends of the thread are tied in a knot. If someone has obtained two-thirds of the votes, the canonically valid election of the Roman pontiff has taken place.
Twice a day, after the ballots have been checked, and before the cardinal electors leave the Sistine Chapel, all the ballots are to be burned, along with any notes a cardinal may have written.
If no pope has been elected by a two-thirds majority after three days, voting is suspended for one day of prayer, discussion and spiritual exhortation. After a series of seven further ballots, the process may again be halted for reflection, until finally only the two cardinals who received the most votes in the last ballot are eligible in a runoff election. The two candidates, however, do not themselves have the right to vote.
8. Can someone “campaign” to become pope?
No. Although there is always speculation as to who might become pope, the choice is often a surprise. In 1958, for instance, few expected someone as old as Pope St. John XXIII, age 77, to be elevated. (Pope Francis, elected in 2013, was 76.)
9. Can a man refuse to accept the office of the papacy?
Yes, although it is unlikely. Rumor has it that some individuals have declined the office, but because the events of the conclave are secret, no one knows for certain if this has occurred.
10. When does the new pope assume office?
Upon acceptance of the office, the new pope states the name by which he will be known, and the cardinals pledge their allegiance to him. Tradition holds that the pope then greets the faithful by appearing in his new robes of office. Three sets of vestments – in small, medium and large – are prepared ahead of time to accommodate the dimensions of the new pope. From the moment of his election, the pope assumes responsibility for governing the church.
Papal Transitions
Does the Church have a formal name for the transition period from one pope to another?
Does the Church have a formal name for the transition period from one pope to another?
Yes, in fact, this period is referred to by two names. Sede vacante, in the Church’s official Latin, is translated “vacant see,” meaning that the see (or diocese) of Rome is without a bishop. In the 20th century this transition averaged just 17 days. It is also referred to as the Interregnum, a reference to the days when popes were also temporal monarchs who reigned over vast territories.
This situation has almost always been created by the death of a pope, but it may also be created by resignation.
When were the most recent papal transitions?
On April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II died at the age of 84 after 26 years as pope. On April 19,2005, German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, formerly prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was elected to succeed John Paul II. He took the name Pope Benedict XVI.
There were two in 1978. On August 6, 1978, Pope Paul VI died at the age of 80 after 15 years as pope. His successor, Pope John Paul I, was elected 20 days later to serve only 34 days. He died very unexpectedly on September 28, 1978, shocking the world and calling the cardinals back to Rome for the second time in as many months. The second transition in 1978 ended with the election of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II) on October 16, 1978.
On February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415 (and the first to do so willingly since St. Celestine V in 1294). His resignation was effective at 8 p.m. Rome time (2 p.m. Eastern) on Thursday, February 28, effectively beginning a period of sede vacante.
How are the events of the transition determined?
The death or resignation of a pope triggers a rapid succession of ceremonies and rites dictated by papal decree and heavily influenced by centuries of tradition. In 1996, Pope John Paul II issued new, very detailed rules for electing his successor in a document titled Universi Dominici Gregis[(Shepherd) Of the Lord’s Whole Flock]. While both John Paul II and Pope Paul VI eliminated or simplified many of the regal trappings associated with the sede vacante, centuries-old customs are still evident. The personal wishes of the deceased pontiff, especially with regard to his funeral and burial, are also very important. A vacancy created by resignation would also trigger many of these activities.
How is the Church governed sede vacante?
Upon a vacancy in the papacy, the governance of the Church and of Vatican City State passes to the College of Cardinals,which meets regularly during the transition. Once informed of the vacancy, all cardinals not prevented from doing so for some legitimate reason must attend the daily meetings called General Congregations.(Those who have reached their 80th birthday before the vacancy occurred may choose not to attend.) General Congregations are entrusted with the more serious matters, including planning for the funeral and burial of the pope and the upcoming election. A second type of meeting, known as the Particular Congregation,handles more routine matters. It is headed by the Camerlengo(Chamberlain) of the Church (currently Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone) who is assisted by three other cardinals – one from each order of cardinal (see Glossary) – selected by lot for three day-terms. In both the General and Particular Congregations, all decisions are made by majority vote. However, decisions which only the pope can make, such as the appointment of bishops or the convening of the Synod of Bishops, must await the election of a new pontiff.
Do all cardinals participate in electing a new pope?
No. only cardinals under the age of 80 at the time of the pope’s death are eligible to vote in papal elections (by order of Pope Paul VI in 1970 and reaffirmed by Pope John Paul II in Universal Dominic Gregis) They are known as the cardinal electors and their number is limited to 120.
Has the election of the pope always been the prerogative of the College of Cardinals?
No. Until the fourth century, the election of a pope was similar to that period’s process for electing any bishop. Neighboring bishops, the Roman clergy, and the laity of Rome all participated in the election. Papal elections from the fourth century to the eleventh century were clearly marked by the influence of various temporal rulers, including the Roman emperors and noble families. In 1059, during a Synod of Rome, Pope Nicholas II, issued the decree In nomine domini spelling out that papal electors were to be only the higher clergy of Rome (the cardinals). Pope Alexander III, at the Third Lateran Council of 1179, further decreed that only a two-thirds majority vote of the cardinals could validly elect a pope.
Among the cardinals, who are the key officials?
During the Interregnum, two cardinals in particular are assigned special responsibilities: the Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church and the Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Who is the Camerlengo and what are his duties?
Upon a papal vacancy, the Camerlengo immediately becomes the administrator of the Church’s property and finances during the transition. He also heads meetings of the Particular Congregation. Among some of the duties assigned to the Camerlengo are officially ascertaining and certifying the pope’s death, sealing the pope’s study and bedroom, and destroying the Fisherman’s Ring.
Since the Camerlengo certifies the pope’s death, is he the person who officially initiates everything that follows?
In a way, yes. Today, modern medical technology easily confirms that death has occurred, but in ages past that determination was less scientific. In a ceremony that was used into the 20th century, the Camerlengo would lightly tap the forehead of the pope three times with a small silver mallet, calling out his baptismal name. It was believed that no one could remain asleep at the sound of his baptismal name. Failure to rouse the pope resulted in the simple declaration: “The pope is dead.”
What is the Fisherman’s Ring and why is its destruction significant?
The Fisherman’s Ringis a signet ring engraved with the image of St. Peter fishing from a boat and encircled with the name of the reigning pope. It is not worn by the pope. Rather, it is used to seal important documents. With its destruction, the power of the deceased pope is symbolically extinguished. In what has traditionally been a private ceremony, a small group of cardinals, together with members of the papal household and the Swiss Guard, enter the pope’s apartments to witness the ring’s destruction. After the ring has been inspected by those present, the Camerlengo defaces the ring with a silver knife. After a second inspection, the ring is placed on a lead block and struck with a silver mallet by the Camerlengo until it is destroyed.
Who is the Dean of the College of Cardinals and what are his responsibilities?
The Dean of the College of Cardinals is a senior cardinal elected to his permanent position by the full College and approved by the pope. During the sede vacante, he presides over the General Congregations and serves as the first among equals within the College. He is responsible for notifying international leaders and the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See of the pope’s death. The Dean is also responsible for notifying the other members of the College and calling them to Rome.
What is the conclave?
The word “conclave” has two meanings. First, it refers to the physical space where the cardinals meet to carry out the election of the new pope. Consistent with the word’s Latin origin, cum clave or “with a key,” the conclave has traditionally been a locked area to ensure the sequestration of the electors. The word “conclave” has also come to refer to the meeting of the cardinals at which a new pope is elected.
The practice of carrying out the papal election in conclave originated in 1268. Eighteen cardinals had assembled in the Italian town of Viterbo, where Pope Clement IV had died, to elect his successor. Two years and nine months later, no pope had been elected, and the frustrated townspeople decided to force a decision by walling up the doors of the meeting place. The cardinals’ only contact with the outside was a small opening through which food was passed. Eventually, the townspeople even removed the roof of the building, exposing the electors to the elements. Pope Gregory X finally was elected on September 1,1271, ending the longest papal election.
Where is the conclave?
Balloting for the new pope takes place in the Sistine Chapel.Preparations begin almost immediately after the death of the pope, overseen by the Camerlengo. The Sistine Chapel, which is 133 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 65 feet high, is configured to accommodate a desk and leatherchair for each cardinal elector. A table is set in front of the altar where the secret ballots will becounted.
Have papal elections always taken place in Rome?
It was customary for the election of a new pontiff to take place in the city where his predecessor had died. Pope Gregory X, elected in 1272 after the longest transition in papal history (see above), formally decreed that the cardinals must assemble for papal elections within ten days after the pope’s death, in the city where the pope died, and with the cardinal-electors having no contact with the outside world.
Is housing for the cardinals part of the conclave?
Yes. In elections prior to the conclave of 2005, living quarters were constructed in available space in the Apostolic Palace which could be sealed from the outside world. In 1978, most electors’ “cells” were constructed by stretching canvas over a metal framework and were sparsely furnished with only a bed, a washstand, a crucifix and a kneeler. Many did not have private baths.
Universi Dominici Gregis directs that the cardinal electors are now to stay in Domus Sanctae Marthae (St. Martha’s House), a five-story, 130-room guest house near St. Peter’s which openedin 1996. Because St. Martha’s is not adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, thereby requiring transportbetween the two sites, the strict conclave enclosure is no longer possible. Consequently, PopeJohn Paul II included specific provisions for ensuring the segregation of the electors while intransit to and from the Sistine Chapel.
Who is allowed inside the conclave?
The list of those allowed inside the conclave is very limited. In addition to the cardinal electors, the only other “conclavists” allowed to remain include: the secretary of the College of Cardinals, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, two masters of ceremonies, two papal sacristans, a cleric to assist the Dean of the College, a number of priests for hearing confessions, two doctors, a few staff for preparing meals and housekeeping and a personal aide for any cardinal so ill or incapacitated that he needs one. All must be approved by the Particular Congregation and be sworn to absolute secrecy about anything they learn or observe during the conclave.
Is it true that the limitation on those allowed inside the conclave, and the whole idea of segregating the cardinals, is to ensure the confidentiality of the process?
Yes. In keeping with tradition, the secrecy of the proceedings is scrupulously guarded. The mandate for secrecy is repeated several times in Universi Dominici Gregis. In fact, the cardinals are required to take two separate oaths of secrecy at different times during the sede vacante. Under Pope Paul VI’s 1975 constitution, the Sistine Chapel was cleared, searched for listening devices, and the entire conclave area sealed both inside and out. With lodging now provided at St. Martha’s House, the provisions for sealing the conclave have been dropped. Provisions for sweeping the Sistine Chapel and the surrounding areas for audiovisual equipment that could record or broadcast the proceedings are retained, however.
Likewise, earlier rules prohibiting electors from sending or receiving mail, using a telephone, television or radio, or reading newspapers are also retained. The secrecy rules extend to the period after the election unless the new pope gives explicit permission to disclose information.
When does the conclave begin?
Fifteen to 20 days after the death of the pope, the cardinals are directed to gather in St. Peter’s Basilica for a votive Mass Pro eligendo Papa invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the task that awaits them. Later, the cardinal electors reassemble and process to the Sistine Chapel. After taking an oath to observe the rules laid out in John Paul’s constitution, to observe absolute secrecy, and to refuse any civil interference with the election, an order extra omnes [“all out”] is given and everyone not authorized to remain in the conclave must leave.
When does the actual election begin?
Voting may begin immediately after the Sistine Chapel has been cleared, if a majority of the electors so desire.
What method is used for the election?
John Paul II’s constitution permits election only by scrutiny,or secret ballot. He eliminated election by acclamation, which allowed the cardinals to proclaim a new pope unanimously. He also eliminated the election by delegation which empowered a small committee of electors to select a compromise candidate in the event of an electoral impasse. Pope Gregory X was elected in this way in 1271.
Are there “election judges” like we’d see at polling places in the United States?
Not exactly, but there is a group of cardinals who help to facilitate the election process. Before the voting begins, nine cardinals are selected by lot and without regard to seniority: three to serve as Scrutineers (vote counters); three to serve as Jnfirmarii (infirmarians), who distribute and collect ballots from any cardinals too ill to leave St. Martha’s House; and three to serve as Revisers, those who double check the calculations of the Scrutineers after each balloting session.
How does balloting actually take place?
Disguising his handwriting, each cardinal writes the name of his selection on the ballot card and then proceeds by seniority to the altar to cast his vote. For the past 300 years, the receptacle for the ballots has been a 25-inch gold chalice, covered by a golden plate. Standing before the altar, each cardinal declares aloud: “I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one whom, before God, I think should be elected.” He then places his twice-folded ballot on the plate, which he tips so the card falls into the chalice. Then the unopened ballots are counted. If they do not correspond to the number of electors, they are burned and a new vote taken. If the numbers coincide, the ballots are opened and recorded by each of the Scrutineers, the last of whom reads aloud the name on each card so the other cardinals can keep a tally if they wish.
How many votes are necessary to elect a pope?
Each of the Cardinal electors, according to the order of precedence, then takes the oath according to the following formula:
“And I, N. Cardinal N., do so promise, pledge and swear. Placing his hand on the Gospels, he will add: So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.” Ibid., n. 53. The last recorded instance took place in 1154 when Cardinal Nicholas Breakspear, the only Englishman to serve as pope, was elected. He served as Pope Adrian IV. (Bums, 48.) A candidate must receive two-thirds of the vote to be elected. (If the number of electors cannot be divided evenly by three, a two-thirds plus one vote is required.) Regardless of whether any single candidate has received the mandatory two-thirds vote, the ballots are inspected and the Scrutineers’ calculations double checked by the Revisers.
What happens if no one gets a two-thirds majority?
If no one has received the required two-thirds majority, the ballots are set aside, and a new vote begun immediately, with two votes each morning and two each afternoon until a new pope is elected.
What gave rise to the custom of signaling a papal election with white smoke?
At the end of each morning and afternoon session, the ballots from the two votes are burned together in a furnace near the Sistine Chapel. In the past, wet straw was added to the ballots of an indecisive vote to produce black smoke; dry straw was added to the ballots of a successful vote to produce white smoke, signaling the crowds in St. Peter’s Square the outcome of the conclave’s deliberations. In 1978 and 2005, a small vial of chemicals was substituted for the straw to produce the correctly colored smoke.
What if there is an impasse?
If, after three days, a pope has not been elected, the cardinals are directed to take a day for prayer and discussions. Voting then continues with a day-long break after each series of seven ballots.
What if there is still no election?
In Universi Dominici Gregis, Pope John Paul II degreed that if, after the fourth series of seven ballots, a pope has still not been elected, the cardinals may vote to change the rules to allow for the election from among the top two vote getters on the previous ballot. While Pope John Paul II allowed that the cardinal could also change the rules to vote to elect a new pope by an absolute majority (half plus one), Pope Benedict XVI reinstated the rule in 2007 that a pope must always be elected by a two-thirds majority. While the purpose of the new means of electing a pope provided by Pope John Paul II was to break a deadlock in future conclaves, none of the 11 conclaves since 1846 has lasted more than four days.
What happens after someone has received the required number of votes?
Upon the election of a new pope, the Dean of the College of Cardinals (or, in the Dean’s absence, the most senior cardinal present) steps forward and asks the newly elected his assent: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” If the one elected accepts and he is already a bishop, he is immediately the bishop of Rome, pope, and head of the College of Bishops. The UDG, #74.8 Cardinal Dean then asks: “By what name do you wish to be called?” If he is not already a bishop, he is immediately ordained a bishop by the Dean or the most senior cardinal present.
So, the person elected doesn’t have to be a bishop?
No. Technically, any baptized Catholic man who is not a heretic, or in schism, or notorious for simony can be elected pope. The last man who was not a bishop to be elected pope was Cardinal Mauro Alberto Cappellari, a Camaldolese monk and prefect of the former Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, who was elected in 1831 and took the name Gregory XVI. The last non-cardinal to be elected pope was in 1378 when the Archbishop of Bari became Pope Urban VI. During a period of intense rivalry between Roman noble families, at least three laymen were elected pope: Benedict VIII (1012-24); John XIX (1024-32); and Benedict IX (1032-44; 1045; 1047-48).
Why does it take so long from the time white smoke appears until we find out who has been elected?
As much as two hours can elapse from the first signs of white smoke over St. Peter’s Square and the new pope’s appearance on the central balcony of the Basilica. During that time, the new pope changes into the traditional white papal vestments and then returns to the Sistine Chapel where each of the electors offers a sign of homage and obedience.
If it’s not known who will be elected, are there white vestments in reserve for each cardinal?
No, but there are three white cassocks tailored in advance to fit, at least roughly, any eventuality. In 1978, Rome’s Gammarelli family designed cassocks to fit a tall-heavy, short-heavy or medium-sized pope.
At what point does the public finally learn the name of the new pope?
Soon after the new pope has received individual greetings from each of the cardinal electors, the senior cardinal deacon (in 2013, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran) will appear on the central balcony of St. Peter’s and announce: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus papam. Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum … [baptismal name} Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem [surname J qui sibi nomen imposuit [chosen papal name ].
Soon thereafter, the new pope appears and imparts his Urbi et Orbi1 blessing. Before 1978 popes were formally crowned in a ceremony several days after their election. Pope John Paul I broke that tradition, preferring instead a simpler Mass of installation to inaugurate his pontificate.
Has the pope always taken a new name when elected?
No. In fact, before the 11th century, popes commonly kept their baptismal names. The first known instance of a new pope choosing a different name was in 533, when a man bearing the name of a pagan god, Mercury, was elected; he choose the name John II. The practice became commonplace with the election of Sylvester II (999-1003).
Men baptized with the name Peter have chosen new names upon their election to the papacy out of deference to Peter the Apostle and first pope; John XIV, elected in 983, was the first to change his name from Peter. In all, the popes have chosen from a total of only 81 names. The most popular name of all has been John (with 23). Other popular names include Clement (14), Benedict (16), Gregory (16), Innocent (13), and Pius (12). Pope John Paul I was the first to choose a double name, and the last pope to choose a name without precedence was Pope Lando 913-14).
–This document was prepared by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2013 prior to the election of Pope Francis.
Precise Rules Govern what Happens in Period between Popes
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, preparing for the election of a new pope and taking care of essential business in the meantime.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, preparing for the election of a new pope and taking care of essential business in the meantime.
The instructions are found in St. John Paul II’s 1996 apostolic constitution, “Universi Dominici Gregis,” which was revised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 and again just before he resigned in 2013.
The funeral and burial of a pope who dies in office should take place “between the fourth and sixth day after death,” the document said. The exact date is determined at a meeting of all the cardinals able to reach the Vatican immediately after the papal death.
The cardinals also determine when the conclave to elect a new pope should begin, although Pope Benedict’s update of “Universi Dominici Gregis” states that it should be at least 15 days from the death or resignation of the pope and can be no more than 20 days since the vacancy of the papacy.
An earlier start is possible, he said, “if it is clear that all the cardinal electors are present.” Cardinal electors are those who were under the age of 80 on the day the pope died or resigned.
The funeral marks the start of a mandated nine-day period of official mourning. For the next eight days other memorial Masses are celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica. The nine-day period is known as the “novendiales.”
With the death of a pope, most top-level Vatican officials – including the prefects of dicasteries – lose their jobs, but that does not mean most Vatican employees get time off. Regular business continues with dicastery secretaries overseeing the steady flow of paperwork, correspondence and meeting planning.
However, the publication of documents, the nomination of new bishops and the approval of statutes for Catholic universities and religious orders are suspended. Anything that must be issued in the name of the Vatican or in the name of the pope must await the election of a new pope and the re-confirmation or appointment of prefects for the various offices.
The two senior Vatican officials who retain their titles and responsibilities are the “camerlengo” or chamberlain, currently U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, whose job begins in earnest when a pope dies or resigns, and the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis. The Apostolic Penitentiary is a Vatican court dealing with matters related to the sacrament of confession and to indulgences, so keeping him in office ensures the possibility of absolution for penitents guilty of serious sin and seeking forgiveness.
“Universi Dominici Gregis” also specified that “the almoner of His Holiness will also continue to carry out works of charity in accordance with the criteria employed during the pope’s lifetime.” That position is held by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who also is prefect of Dicastery for the Service of Charity.
Everything having to do with the funeral and with preparations for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor belongs to the College of Cardinals.
The rites and rituals used – from the formal verification of the pope’s death to the eight memorial Masses after the funeral – are published in the “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis” (“Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff”), originally approved by St. John Paul II in 1998, but published only the day after his death in 2005.
In late 2024, the Vatican released a newer, simplified version on the orders of Pope Francis.
The physician who directs the Vatican health care service provides a civil certification of the pope’s death, including its cause.
But the ritual verification of the pope’s death takes place in the chapel of his residence and is presided over by the chamberlain, assisted by the dean of the College of Cardinals, the master of papal liturgical ceremonies and the physician.
If it ever was a custom to use a silver hammer to tap on the newly deceased pontiff’s forehead to make sure he is dead, it is a long disused practice.
The chamberlain also is responsible for placing seals on the pope’s study and bedroom and officially notifying the cardinal vicar for Rome and the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Before the conclave, all the cardinals – including those over 80 – participate in “congregations.”
The “general congregation,” with all the cardinals, handles “important matters,” according to “Universi Dominici Gregis,” while “questions of lesser importance which arise on a daily basis or from time to time” are handled by the “particular congregation.”
The document says the cardinals draw lots to determine the three cardinals who will assist the camerlengo by serving three-day terms as members of the “particular congregation.” However, Pope Francis’ apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia, “Praedicate Evangelium,” said that “one of these is the Cardinal Coordinator of the Council for the Economy,” currently German Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising.
The general congregation meets under the leadership of the dean, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and besides setting the date for the funeral and for the conclave, it is responsible for:
– Ensuring that a commission of their members prepares the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican residence where Pope Francis lived, for the cardinals during the conclave. Rooms will be assigned by lot.
Preparing the Sistine Chapel for the election of a new pope.
– Assigning two clerics “known for their sound doctrine, wisdom and moral authority” to prepare meditations for the cardinals on problems the church faces and on choosing the next pope.
– Approving the expenditures associated with the death of the pope.
– Arranging for the destruction of the papal fisherman’s ring and the lead seal that had marked Pope Francis’ letters.
Although not as secret as the conclave, the cardinals and those assisting them at the meetings of the general congregation take an oath of secrecy regarding “all matters in any way related to the election of the Roman Pontiff or those which, by their very nature, during the vacancy of the Apostolic See, call for the same secrecy.”
During the general congregation meetings, the cardinals have the services of translators working in Italian, Spanish, English, French and German, as well as ushers and other aides.
How is a New Pope Chosen?
By USCCB, Office of Public Affairs
When a pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church passes to the College of Cardinals. Cardinals are bishops and Vatican officials from all over the world, personally chosen by the pope, recognizable by their distinctive red vestments.
When a pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church passes to the College of Cardinals. Cardinals are bishops and Vatican officials from all over the world, personally chosen by the pope, recognizable by their distinctive red vestments.
Following a vacancy in the papacy, the cardinals hold a series of meetings at the Vatican called general congregations. They discuss the needs and the challenges facing the Catholic Church globally. They will also prepare for the upcoming papal election, called a conclave. Decisions that only the pope can make, such as appointing a bishop or convening the Synod of Bishops, must wait till after the election. In the past, they made arrangements for the funeral and burial of the deceased pope.
Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote.
In the past, 15 to 20 days after a papal vacancy, the cardinals gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for a Mass invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in electing a new pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave. They are known as the cardinal electors.
For the conclave itself, the cardinal electors process to the Sistine Chapel and take an oath of absolute secrecy before sealing the doors.
The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgment, saying a prayer and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot are counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.
When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.
The senior cardinal deacon, currently French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, announces from the balcony of St. Peter’s “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) before the new pope processes out and imparts his blessing on the city of Rome and the entire world.
Inside the Conclave 2025
A graphic depicting the canonical process of the conclave and the experience of the cardinal electors. Counting the Cardinals
Who Will Be the Next Pope?
Here are some top contenders for the papacy after Francis
Here are some top contenders for the papacy after Francis
As the College of Cardinals prepares for the conclave following the death of Pope Francis, the world is watching and wondering who will lead the Church into its next chapter. With 135 cardinal-electors representing more than 60 countries, the field of possible successors reflects a rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences and priorities.
In this article, Michael R. Heinlein profiles some of the top contenders being discussed as potential candidates to become the 267th successor of St. Peter.
https://www.osvnews.com/top-contenders-for-papacy-after-francis
Papal Elections: Curiosities about age, nationality, firsts and lasts
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis made history with his election in 2013 as the first Latin American as well as the first Jesuit ever elected.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis made history with his election in 2013 as the first Latin American as well as the first Jesuit ever elected.
He was elected at the age of 76, which seemed counterintuitive after what Pope Benedict XVI had said when announcing his resignation just 30 days prior. The 85-year-old German pope had said that “both strength of mind and body are necessary” to carry out the papal ministry in the modern world.
Pope Benedict was elected in 2005, just after his 78th birthday. Of the 103 popes whose exact age at election is known, Pope Benedict and Pope Francis were two of 18 churchmen elected bishop of Rome while between the ages of 71 and 80.
Ambrogio Piazzoni, then-vice prefect of the Vatican Library and author of a book on the history of papal elections, distributed a sheet of “some curiosities” about the elections to reporters in 2013, after Pope Benedict announced his resignation and before Pope Francis was elected.
On the topic of the age of the pope at election, he said:
▪ Three popes were under the age of 25. The last was Pope Gregory V, who was 24 when elected in 996.
▪ Seven were between 25 and 40 years old. The last was Pope Leo X, who was 37 in 1513.
▪ Eleven were between 41 and 50. The last was Pope Clement VII, who was elected in 1523 at the age of 44.
▪ 24 popes were in their 50s. The most recent was Blessed John Paul II, who was 58 years old when he began his papal ministry in 1978.
▪ 37 were between 61 and 70 years old. The last was Pope John Paul I, who was 65 when he began his 33-day papacy in 1978.
▪ Only three popes were over 80 when elected. The last, chosen by cardinals in 1406, was Pope Gregory XII. He was 81.
FAMOUS LASTS
Piazzoni also provided a list of “lasts”:
▪ The last pope who was not a cardinal yet when elected was Pope Urban VI in 1378.
▪ The last who was not even a priest yet was Pope Leo X.
▪ The last born in Rome was Pope Pius XII, elected in 1939. He was also the last serving Vatican secretary of state elected.
▪ The last African was Pope Gelasius, elected in 492.
▪ The last native of Dalmatia, an ancient Roman province, was Pope John IV in 640.
▪ The last Frenchman elected was Pope Gregory XI, in 1370.
▪ The last Greek was Pope Zachary in 741.
▪ The last Englishman was Pope Adrian IV in 1154.
▪ The last Italian was Pope John Paul I.
▪ The last Dutchman was Pope Adrian VI in 1522.
▪ The last Palestinian was Pope Theodore in 642.
▪ The last Pole was Pope John Paul II in 1978.
▪ The last Portuguese was Pope John XXI in 1276.
▪ The last Syrian was Pope Gregory III in 731.
▪ The last Spaniard was Pope Alexander VI in 1492.
▪ The last German was Pope Benedict XVI. When he was elected in 2005, it had been 950 years since a German — Pope Victor II — had been elected.
Here are 11 cardinals with American ties that will cast votes for the next pope
By Michael R. Heinlein, OSV News
(April 29, 2025) – As the official days of mourning – the Novemdiales – have begun with the April 26 funeral of Pope Francis, 135 cardinal electors are engaging in pre-conclave meetings at the Vatican. The cardinals who have arrived in Rome to elect a new pope come from over 60 countries – the most diverse conclave in history.
(April 29, 2025) – As the official days of mourning – the Novemdiales – have begun with the April 26 funeral of Pope Francis, 135 cardinal electors are engaging in pre-conclave meetings at the Vatican. The cardinals who have arrived in Rome to elect a new pope come from over 60 countries – the most diverse conclave in history.
Eleven cardinals are either from, or have direct ties, to the United States: 10 U.S. cardinals plus French-born, career Vatican diplomat Cardinal Christophe Pierre, 79.
Only four of the 10 U.S. cardinal electors are actively serving as residential archbishops as of the conclave’s May 7 start: Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, 76; Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, 75; Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington, 71; and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, 73.
Two of the 10 U.S. cardinals are recently retired residential archbishops: Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, 75; and Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington, 77.
Four of the 11 currently reside in Rome: Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, 76; Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, 69; Cardinal James F. Harvey, 75; and Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, 77.
With Cardinals Gregory and McElroy, as well as Cardinal Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., that means three cardinals from Washington have flown into Rome for the conclave.
The average age of the American cardinals entering this conclave is just under 75. This average is just under five years older than the Americans entering the 2013 conclave. Four of the 11 cardinals were named by Pope Benedict XVI, and five have been added to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis.
Cardinals Cupich, DiNardo, Dolan, Gregory and McElroy all served as diocesan priests before service as diocesan bishops, hailing from Omaha, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Chicago and San Francisco, respectively. Each of them lived for stints in Rome at various times, where Cardinal DiNardo served in the Roman Curia, and where Cardinal Gregory and his Washington successor Cardinal McElroy obtained doctorates in theology.
Cardinals Cupich and Dolan have experience as seminary rectors. Cardinals DiNardo, Dolan and Gregory have each served as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Cardinal Gregory has been a bishop the longest, ordained in 1983.
Several of the American cardinals who have served or are serving as diocesan bishops are acquainted with the institutional decline facing the church in many parts of this country. Cardinals Cupich, Dolan and Tobin have presided over major overhauls and reorganizations of parishes and schools in their archdioceses. Some have experienced growth like Cardinal DiNardo when he served as archbishop of Galveston-Houston from 2006 to 2025. Cardinal McElroy arrives to the conclave with the experience of leading his former San Diego Diocese through a massive bankruptcy proceeding, owed to an oversized number of payouts in the wake of the clergy sexual abuse crisis.
Cardinal Farrell currently is camerlengo of the papal household, a position he has held since 2019. In that capacity, he oversees several of the ceremonies surrounding the papal death and also serves as de facto head of state for the Holy See until the election of a new pope. The former bishop of Dallas from 2007 to 2016, Cardinal Farrell also served as a close collaborator of the late former cardinal Theodore McCarrick while an auxiliary bishop of Washington from 2002 to 2007. Cardinal Farrell denied knowledge of McCarrick’s misconduct and abuses, or their subsequent cover-ups, after revelations in 2018 resulted in McCarrick’s resignation from the College of Cardinals and subsequent laicization.
Cardinal Burke became one of the earliest and most outspoken critics of Pope Francis’ pontificate. Along with three other cardinals, Cardinal Burke submitted a formal “dubia” to Pope Francis in 2016, asking him to clarify various controversial points from his apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia.” Known as an expert in canon law, Cardinal Burke served as archbishop of St. Louis from 2004 until his 2008 appointment as prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Holy See’s highest court under the pope himself. Cardinal Burke held that position until 2014.
Along with Cardinal Cupich of Chicago, Burke is a seminary classmate of Cardinal Harvey, a Milwaukee native who currently serves as archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls, a position to which he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Under Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul, Harvey served as prefect of the papal household from 1998 to 2012.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, an Augustinian originally from Chicago, was appointed to the influential role of prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in 2023. Cardinal Prevost served as a provincial and later as prior general of his congregation from 2001 to 2013 before his appointment as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015. He had previously come under fire, for his alleged role in permitting a priest from his province in 2000, a known child abuser, to live in a priory adjacent to a Catholic elementary school, which had not been informed of the situation.
Like Cardinal Prevost, Cardinal Tobin served in leadership of his own congregation, the Redemptorists, as superior general from 1997 to 2009. Cardinal Tobin also was appointed to be secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for two years before his appointment as archbishop of Indianapolis in 2012. He was appointedarchbishop of Newark in 2016.
There were very few gatherings of the College of Cardinals during the pontificate of Pope Francis — while they had become increasingly commonplace in the other pontificates since the Second Vatican Council — and so there is a sense the cardinals know each other even less than in recent conclaves.
Of the 135 electors, over 100, or nearly three-quarters, of the members of the college were appointed by Pope Francis, the man whose successor they will choose. Pope Benedict XVI named nearly two dozen of the cardinal-electors expected at this conclave, while St. John Paul II named five.
But one cardinal named during each of those pontificates will be absent, due to health reasons, leaving the conclave’s elector count to be currently at 133. Thirty-three cardinals are under 65.
With representation from more than five dozen countries, the College of Cardinals currently has the most global composition than ever before, although nearly 30 of the cardinal-electors are serving in the Roman Curia alone. This is also the first conclave in which all the electors will have been ordained priests after the conclusion of Vatican II.
–Michael R. Heinlein writes from Indiana.
Glossary of Terms Related to a Papal Transition
Apostolic Constitution
A solemn papal document used to establish Church law or structure. Praedicate Evangelium, the 2022 apostolic constitution by Pope Francis, reformed the Roman Curia and governs its structure, including during sede vacante.
Apostolic Constitution
A solemn papal document used to establish Church law or structure. Praedicate Evangelium, the 2022 apostolic constitution by Pope Francis, reformed the Roman Curia and governs its structure, including during sede vacante.
Apostolic See
Another name for the See of Rome. It refers to the pope’s episcopal jurisdiction and is often used in Church documents.
Camerlengo
The cardinal who administers the temporal affairs of the Holy See during the sede vacante. He confirms the pope’s death, secures the papal apartments and oversees preparations for the conclave.
Cardinal Elector
A cardinal under the age of 80 who is eligible to vote in a conclave. This term clarifies a key point for reporters who may not know that not all cardinals vote.
College of Cardinals
The assembly of cardinals who serve as principal advisors to the pope and are responsible for electing a new pope during a sede vacante. Only cardinals under the age of 80 may vote in the conclave.
Conclave
From the Latin cum clave (“with a key”), the secret gathering of eligible cardinals in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Voting continues until a two-thirds majority is reached.
Dean of the College of Cardinals
The cardinal who presides over the College of Cardinals. During a papal transition, the dean leads meetings of the cardinals, may preside over the funeral of the pope, and, if eligible, may preside at the conclave.
Fisherman’s Ring
The pope’s signet ring, symbolizing his role as successor of St. Peter. Upon the pope’s death, the ring is ceremonially destroyed to prevent fraudulent use.
General Congregation
Meetings of the College of Cardinals are held daily during the sede vacante before the conclave begins. These sessions handle practical matters and allow cardinals to discuss the state of the Church.
Habemus Papam
Latin for “We have a pope.” The traditional announcement made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica when a new pope has been elected.
Interregnum
A general term (Latin for “between reigns”) describing the time between popes. Less technical than sede vacante but sometimes used in news and commentary.
Mass of the Repose of the Soul
A funeral Mass offered for the deceased pope. It is often accompanied by nine days of mourning (novemdiales), which could also be added as a term.
Novemdiales
Latin for “nine days.” Refers to the official mourning period following the death of a pope, marked by daily Masses and prayers.
Papabile
Italian for “pope-able.” An informal term used to describe a cardinal considered as a likely candidate for election to the papacy.
Papal Infallibility
A doctrine defined at the First Vatican Council (1870), stating that the pope is preserved from error when he solemnly proclaims a doctrine of faith or morals. It is not suspended during a sede vacante but only applies to the reigning pope.
Pontificate
The period of time a pope serves as the bishop of Rome and leader of the universal Church.
Roman Curia
The administrative apparatus of the Holy See that assists the pope in governing the Church. During the sede vacante, its functions are restricted, and no major decisions can be made until a new pope is elected.
St. Peter’s Basilica
One of the most iconic churches in the world, located in Vatican City. It is often the site of papal funerals, conclave announcements (Habemus Papam) and the inaugural Mass of a new pope. It symbolizes the continuity of the papacy from St. Peter.
Urbi et Orbi
Latin for “To the City and to the World.” A formal blessing given by the pope on certain solemn occasions, including his first appearance after election.
Papal Name
The new name chosen by a cardinal upon being elected pope, signifying the beginning of his papacy. The name is announced publicly following the Habemus Papam proclamation.
Sede Vacante
Latin for “the seat being vacant.” Refers to the period between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of his successor. During this time, the Holy See is governed by the College of Cardinals under limited authority.
White Smoke / Black Smoke
The visible signals emitted from the Sistine Chapel chimney during a conclave. Black smoke indicates no decision has been reached; white smoke signals that a new pope has been elected.