The Cardinals Begin the Conclave

US Department of State from United States, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

The conclave has officially begun in Vatican City, kicking off the centuries-old ritual to select the next pope.

The cardinals are meeting to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025. This sacred and secret process, held in the Sistine Chapel, is steeped in ancient traditions as the College of Cardinals prepares to elect its new spiritual leader.

The Conclave Process: A Sacred Tradition

It all begins with a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, then 133 cardinals dressed in red vestments process toward the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo's renowned frescoes, where they take oaths of secrecy and enter a state of complete isolation within the Vatican walls.

Voting begins with one round on the first evening, followed by two rounds each morning and afternoon until one candidate obtains a two-thirds majority.

During the conclave, communications with the outside world are extremely limited. The greatest visual symbol of this process is the ceremonial burning of the ballots after each round of voting. A special fireplace is set up for the conclave, and as the process progresses, the ballots are pierced, tied, and then burned.

This burning produces black smoke if a pope has not yet been elected, or white smoke if a decision has already been reached. This tradition has been perfected over centuries to ensure a deliberate and prayerful election.

A Diverse College of Cardinals

This year's conclave reflects a much more globalized Church, in line with Pope Francis' mission to include voices from the developing world. During his pontificate, Pope Francis appointed more than 801,000 electors participating in this conclave, many of whom are experiencing this process for the first time.

Of the 135 eligible cardinal electors, only 53 come from Europe. Representation has been expanded to include, for the first time, cardinal electors from countries such as Rwanda, Laos, and Haiti, making this conclave the least European in history.

The Beginning of a New Era

The conclave is expected to last up to four days, according to 20th-century trends, and its outcome will define the direction of the Church for years to come.

Once a new pope is elected, he will be asked two questions: whether he accepts the office and what name he wishes to adopt. The senior cardinal deacon will be responsible for announcing to the world from St. Peter's Square: "Habemus Papam!", which means "We have a Pope." He will then present the new pontiff with the papal name he has chosen.

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Fountain: NPR