With the death of Pope Francis the Catholic Church has not only lost its spiritual leader but once again faces a moment of world-historical significance. The world's eyes are on the Vatican, where in the coming days the time-honored conclave will convene, that secretive process in which a new pope is elected behind closed doors. But what exactly happens during a conclave? How does the election work? And where do the ritualsthat remain so deeply rooted in the history of the Church to this day actually come from?
An Ancient Church in Modern Times
On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died at the age of 88 in the Vatican. With him ends a pontificate of more than twelve years, a pontificatemarked by humility, social messaging, and a focus on reform. Francis was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to occupy the Chair of Peter. His death has plunged not only the faithful around the world into mourning but also sets the stage for a new era at the Vatican.
The Sede Vacante: "The Seat of Peter Is Empty"
With the death of the pope begins the so-called sede vacante, the "empty time" during which the Apostolic See is vacant. During this period, the authority of the pope is fully suspended. The College of Cardinals takes over the governance of the Church, though only for routine administrative matters. Important decisions or reforms are not permitted. Meanwhile, the Vatican Secretariat of State prepares everything for the funeral, which typically takes place within four to six days of the pope's death.
The Conclave: An Election Closed Off from the World
Between the 15th and 20th day after the death of the pope, the conclave begins. The term derives from the Latin cum clave, meaning "with a key," and refers to the complete seclusion of the proceedings. The cardinals who are younger than 80 years of age gather in the Sistine Chapel. Currently, 118 cardinals from all parts of the world are eligible to vote. Before the election begins, the cardinals take an oath of secrecy and absolute confidentiality. No one may share information with the outside world, electronic devices are prohibited, and the cardinals remain shielded from the world until a decision is reached.
The Conclave: How the Election Works
Each day begins with prayer and Holy Mass. Afterward, up to four ballots are held daily, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Voting is conducted in secret: each cardinal writes the name of his preferred candidate on a ballot and places it on the altar. To be elected, a candidate requires a two-thirds majority. After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. If black smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the vote was unsuccessful. If white smoke rises, it means a new pope has been elected and the famous "Habemus Papam!" can be announced.
Rituals That Have Endured for Centuries
The conclave is one of the oldest and at the same time most secretive rituals in the world. It was introduced in 1274 by Pope Gregory X after an exceptionally long sede vacante of nearly three years without a pope revealed the need for faster decision-making. Since then, the procedure has been revised repeatedly, but its basic structure has remained intact. One of the most curious traditions dates back to the late Middle Ages: to counter rumors that a woman might have disguised herself as a man and slipped into the papacy, a reference to the legend of Pope Joan the ritual of the "Sedia Stercoraria," or examination chair, came into use. The newly elected pope was required to sit on a special chair with a hole in the seat while a deacon beneath it verified beyond doubt that the occupant was indeed a man. The cry "Testiculos habet et bene pendentes!" ("He has testicles and they hang well!") is said to have confirmed the election. Whether this practice was ever officially part of the papal election process is historically disputed, but it speaks to the long history of male exclusivity attached to the office. A female pope is excluded under current canon law, as the Catholic Church reserves the priesthood to men. Nevertheless, questions of equality and the need for reform continue to be raised in theological circles.
Notable Conclaves in History
Not every conclave ran smoothly. The Conclave of Viterbo in 1268, for example, lasted a full 1,006 days, nearly three years, before the cardinals could agree on a candidate. The citizens of the city eventually lost their patience and literally locked the cardinals in, removed the roof, and reduced their meals, a measure that ultimately led to an election. Another dramatic conclave took place in 1378, when Urban VI was elected as pope, whose authoritarian style divided the College of Cardinals. This led to the Western Schism: two, and later even three, popes simultaneously claimed the Chair of Peter. Only the Council of Constance (1414 to 1418) brought this state of ecclesiastical division to an end.
Who Will Be the Next Pope?
The cardinals are not required to choose someone from their own ranks, yet for centuries it has been customary for only a cardinal to become pope. The conclave is nonetheless known for surprises, as demonstrated in 2013 with the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who emerged completely unexpectedly as Pope Francis.
What happens after the election?
If a candidate is elected, he is asked: "Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?" ("Do you accept your canonically conducted election as Supreme Pontiff?"). A simple "Accepto" and the choice of his new name officially mark the beginning of the new pontificate. Shortly thereafter, the new Pope steps onto the Benediction Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica and delivers his first "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. A moment followed by millions of faithful around the world, a moment that makes history.
Smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel
One of the most symbolic moments of the conclave is the rising of smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Even before the cardinals convene for the first ballot, a temporary metal chimney is mounted on the roof of the chapel. It rises clearly visible above the roofline and is connected to a special furnace system inside the chapel, into which the ballots are fed after each vote. To give the smoke its unmistakable color, chemical additives have been used since 2005: a mixture producing black smoke (fumata nera) signals that no Pope has been elected, while white plumes of smoke (fumata bianca) announce that a new Pontiff has been found. The white smoke signal is accompanied by the ringing of the bells of St. Peter's Basilica, a double signal to the watching world. In an age of digital communication, this archaic ritual feels all the more powerful: a fleeting wisp of smoke that announces the dawn of a new era to millions of people.
The Conclave: A Sacred and Historic Act
The conclave is not a mere administrative procedure but a spiritual event of worldwide significance. It is the expression of an age-old institutionthat, despite all crises and challenges, continues to seek unity and leadership. Within a matter of days, the Catholic Church will have a new head, and with him, perhaps, new paths for an ancient world religion.