A new pope is elected through a secretive and highly ritualized process called the papal conclave, which involves the College of Cardinals. Here is how it works:

• Eligibility and Setting: Only cardinals under the age of 80 at the time the papacy becomes vacant are eligible to vote. The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel, which is sealed off to ensure complete isolation and secrecy

• Oath and Secrecy: Before voting, all cardinal electors take an oath of absolute secrecy. Any breach of this oath results in automatic excommunication

• Voting Procedure: Voting occurs up to four times daily (twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon). Each cardinal writes the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot that says in Latin "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" ("I elect as Supreme Pontiff"), folds it twice, and drops it into a chalice after praying

• Majority Requirement: To be elected, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes. For example, with 133 electors, at least 89 votes are required

• Counting and Verification: Three cardinals are appointed as scrutineers to count the votes aloud and record the results. Revisers verify the count to ensure accuracy

• Smoke Signals: After each round of voting, ballots are burned in a stove connected to a chimney visible from St. Peter’s Square. If no pope is elected, chemicals produce black smoke. When a pope is elected, white smoke is produced to signal the outcome to the public

• Acceptance and Announcement: Once a candidate obtains the required majority, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks if he accepts the election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is vested in papal garments. The senior cardinal deacon then announces "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope") from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the new pope imparts his first blessing

• If No Election After Several Rounds: If no candidate is elected after three days, the cardinals pause for prayer and reflection. After 21 unsuccessful ballots, voting continues but only between the two top candidates, who are not allowed to vote themselves

This process can last from a day to several days or even longer, depending on how quickly a consensus is reached