 "Pope Francis dies: How will the new pope be elected? The conclave, explained")
The Christian world plunged into mourning as news emerged that Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88.
Cardinal Kevin Ferrell breaking the news said, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.″
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025
The passing away of Pope Francis comes just a day after Easter when he made a surprise public appearance, greeting a crowd of more than 35,000 in St Peter’s Square from his popemobile in Vatican City. This came just a month after the pontiff was discharged from a Rome hospital after having battled a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs.
Pope Francis’ passing away also leads to questions about his successor and the future of the Church.
How exactly is a new pope chosen? What is the conclave, the highly choreographed process to elect a new pontiff? We explain it all.
How did we arrive at today’s papal succession?
Before we deep dive into the process of selecting Pope Francis’ successor, let’s understand how this process came about. Until the 11th Century, popular opinion of both clergy and worshippers was used to elect popes. Unsurprisingly, this led to conflicting claims, disputes and even antipopes — individuals with substantive, albeit false, claims to the papal seat.
However, in 1059, Pope Nicholas II issued a decree putting in place a process by which popes would be elected, with cardinal bishops being appointed as electors. What this did was reduce the influence of Roman aristocracy and lower clergy, and, in turn, laid the foundation for the College of Cardinals, formally established in 1150.
Today, there are a total of 222 cardinals with 120 eligible to vote. This is because in 1975, rules were changed to exclude all cardinals over the age of 80 from voting.
When a pope dies or resigns, the College of Cardinals is then summoned for an election, which is called a conclave, and all are expected to attend irrespective of age or ill health. This conclave is usually called for 15 to 20 days after the last pope’s departure — this time limit was set in 1922, giving cardinals from across the world sufficient time to make the journey.
How is the conclave held?
Following the 15-20 days after a pope’s demise or resignation, the College of Cardinals meets at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City for the highly secretive and choreographed conclave — the process of electing a new pope.
The first day of the conclave begins with a special morning mass, following which the cardinals are sequestered into the Sistine Chapel chanting prayers and hymns, imploring saints and the Holy Spirit to help them pick a pope. They are also made to take an oath on the book of the Gospels that they won’t reveal the details of the conclave.
Once the oath is taken by all cardinals, the master of the papal liturgical celebrations cries out “extra omnes” — which is Latin for “All out.” Everyone except the cardinals leaves and the voting begins.
Interestingly, once the conclave begins, the cardinals eat, vote and sleep within closed-off areas. According to the Archdiocese of Toronto, cardinals can be excommunicated if they leak information and the chapel is swept for listening devices before and after the conclave.
The cardinals are barred from external communication — televisions are removed and mobile phones are banned. Two doctors are allowed into the conclave, as well as priests who are able to hear confessions in various languages and housekeeping staff.
How do the cardinals vote at the conclave?
The first round of voting takes place on day one of the conclave. If no one is elected, then a second voting takes place. According to the norms laid down, four votes — two in the morning and two in the afternoon — are held each day of the conclave until a new pope is elected.
If after three days of voting, no clear winner is established, then the cardinals take a full day off for prayer and contemplation. If this four-day cycle repeats seven more times, a run-off between the two candidates who received the most support is held.
When cardinals vote for their choice of pope, they do so on the ballot paper which is provided to them. The ballot has the words ‘Eligio in Summum Pontificem’ (I elect as Supreme Pontiff) printed on the upper half while there is space for the name on the bottom half.
As all the votes are counted, the scrutineers call out the names of those cardinals who have received votes. He pierces each paper with a needle — through the word “Eligio” — placing all the ballots on a single thread. The ballot papers are then burned - giving off the smoke visible to onlookers outside which traditionally turns from black to white once a new pope has been chosen.
For a pope to be elected, he needs two-thirds of all the votes cast.
Interestingly, the longest such conclave was in the 13th Century, which continued from November 1268 until September 1271 due to infighting and outside meddling. In Pope Francis’ case, he was on the second day, after five ballots.
What happens after a pope is elected?
Immediately after a candidate receives two-thirds of the votes, the master of the papal liturgical celebrations asks the winner: “Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?”
If he agrees, then he is again asked: “By what name do you wish to be called?” Once a name is provided, the details are filled into a formal document. Meanwhile, the other cardinals approach the new pope to pay their homage and obedience.
The new pope is then fitted into his new robes — the white cassock — which is altered to his measurements by the papal tailor.
Then a traditional announcement is made from the balcony of the St. Peter’s Basilica: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum… habemus papam! (“I announce to you a great joy… we have a pope!”)
His name is then revealed, and he makes his first public appearance following which he delivers his first address to the world.
With inputs from agencies
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