Marianne Rozario unpacks the centuries–old processes that take place in the Catholic Church when the Pope dies. 24/02/2025

This week, Catholics and others of faith around the world have been praying for Pope Francis as his health remains in “critical” condition.

The death of a pontiff, whenever it may be, marks the beginning of a series of traditions in the Catholic Church. Arrangements will be made for his Requiem Mass and burial at St Peter’s Basilica, the Catholic Church will also make arrangements to choose his successor.

This explainer briefly summarises the process of electing the next pope.

What is a papal conclave?

The process for choosing the next pope, after a pope dies or resigns, is called a papal conclave. A papal conclave has been used for centuries ensuring the next successor to the seat of St Peter and head of the Catholic Church is chosen through prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Who chooses the next pope? 

The next pope is chosen by the College of Cardinals. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a papal conclave, and they are known as cardinal electors. After a pope dies or resigns, the dean of the College of Cardinals has the responsibility to inform all the cardinals of the death of the pope and to convoke a conclave. For the conclave, the cardinal electors are expected to return to the Vatican as soon as possible and take up residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

What is the College of Cardinals? [i]

Cardinals are the most senior clergymen (priests) in the Catholic Church below the pope. Although historically they were the local clergy of Rome, today they are Bishops of important ‘sees’ (dioceses) from throughout the world, or heads of departments of the Vatican, or some priests or bishops whom the pope personally wishes to honour. The title of Cardinal is given by the pope as a personal decision. They are recognisable by their distinctive red vestments, and collectively they form the College of Cardinals.

Who is eligible to be the next pope?

Officially candidates for the next pope only need to be Catholic and male, however in reality Pontiffs have only ever been chosen from the ranks of Cardinals for centuries. There is no age limit to become pope.

What happens at a papal conclave? [ii] [iii]

On the first day of the conclave, the cardinal electors gather in St Peter’s Basilica to celebrate Mass (for the Election of a Pope), hearing from the dean of the College of Cardinals in his homily. Later that day they process to the Pauline Chapel within the Vatican to implore the coming of the Holy Spirit and swear collectively, and then individually, an oath. The conclave itself takes place in the Sistine Chapel.

Cardinal electors take an oath of secrecy, the doors are sealed and they are locked inside the Vatican until a new pope is elected. Cardinal electors are not allowed contact with the outside world during the election – no shared messages, no newspapers, no radio, no television. They pray, discuss and secretly vote by ballot. At each vote, they process up one by one to Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel, saying a prayer, and dropping their folded secret ballot into a large chalice. The result of each ballot is counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders.

A two–thirds majority is required for a candidate to be elected pope, and process can take multiple rounds of voting lasting several days until a decision has been made and a new pope elected. Each time they vote, the ballot papers are burned. If no pope is chosen, black smoke rises from the Vatican chimney indicating that the process is still in deliberation.

What happens after a pope is elected?

Once a cardinal receives enough votes and accepts the role, white smoke will rise from the Vatican chimney, signalling to the world that a new pope has been elected. The newly elected pope then chooses a papal name and puts on his white vestments. Following this, he is introduced from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica by the words “Habemus Papam!” –– Latin for “ We have a Pope!”. The new pope processes out onto the balcony and imparts his blessing to the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square and to the entire world.

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