The process of choosing a new pope is called a papal conclave and involves the following key steps:
- Who votes: Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. These cardinal electors gather from around the world, typically about 120 to 135 in number
- Where it happens: The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel within Vatican City. Before voting, cardinals celebrate Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and then enter the chapel, where the doors are sealed to ensure secrecy
- Voting procedure:
- Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot in Latin ("Eligo in Summum Pontificem" meaning "I elect as Supreme Pontiff").
- Ballots are folded and deposited into a chalice.
- Voting occurs once on the first day (afternoon) and then twice each morning and afternoon on subsequent days until a pope is elected
* After each vote, ballots are counted aloud and recorded by designated cardinals.
* If no candidate receives the required two-thirds majority, the ballots are burned producing black smoke, signaling no decision yet
- Election threshold: A candidate must receive a two-thirds supermajority of votes to be elected pope. This rule ensures broad consensus
- Acceptance and announcement: Once a cardinal receives the necessary votes, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks if he accepts. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is vested as pope. White smoke is then produced from the Sistine Chapel chimney to signal the election to the world. The senior cardinal deacon announces "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope") from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, and the new pope appears to give his blessing
- Duration: The conclave can last from a single day to several days or longer, depending on how quickly the two-thirds vote is achieved. Recent conclaves have lasted from one to a few days
In summary, the new pope is chosen by a secret ballot vote of cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel, requiring a two-thirds majority, followed by public announcement and acceptance rituals steeped in centuries-old tradition
