Papal Conclave Underway: Cardinals Gather at Vatican to Elect New Pope
Cardinals begin the historic process of selecting a successor to Pope Francis, with voting taking place in the Sistine Chapel
- Cardinals gather at the Vatican to elect the next pope following Pope Francis' passing
- Voting takes place in the Sistine Chapel
- Smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney will announce the outcome of each voting round
Catholic cardinals have gathered at the Vatican to select a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.
The election will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with ballots being cast until one candidate secures two-thirds of the votes.
If no decision is reached within three days, balloting will pause for 24 hours to allow time for reflection. Historically, no conclave has lasted longer than four days since 1831.
The outcome of each voting round will be announced through the smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel’s stovepipe chimney. Black smoke (fumata nera) signals an inconclusive vote, while white smoke (fumata bianca) or the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica will confirm the election of a new pope.
How the Conclave Process Works
Each of the 133 cardinals will cast their vote secretly by writing it on a ballot and presenting it at the altar in the Sistine Chapel.
To ensure anonymity, cardinals are instructed to write in an unidentifiable script. Cardinals unable to attend due to illness or infirmity will vote from their rooms, with their ballots then securely transported to the chapel.
Votes will be counted by three scrutineers, who will verify the ballots and announce the results. If there’s a discrepancy in the number of ballots, they are discarded and re-voting occurs.
The first candidate to receive two-thirds of the votes will be the new pope.
The conclave typically holds up to four voting rounds a day. If no candidate is chosen after three days, voting pauses for 24 hours. Another set of rounds follows, with more breaks if needed.
If no pope emerges after 33-34 ballots, a new rule introduced by Pope Benedict XVI mandates a runoff vote between the top two candidates, with the winner securing the papacy.
What’s Ahead for the Conclave
On May 7, 2025, the conclave begins in earnest as the 133 voting cardinals attend a mass at St. Peter’s Basilica at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET).
Later in the afternoon, they will take their oaths in the Pauline Chapel and proceed to the Sistine Chapel to officially begin the conclave at approximately 5 p.m.
