Ever stared at a tiny chimney on a TV screen waiting for a puff of smoke? It’s a bit of a weird tradition if you think about it. Thousands of people standing in a rainy Italian square, staring at a flue. But that smoke is the only "leak" we get from one of the most secretive meetings on the planet. Everyone always asks the same thing: how many times did they vote for the new pope before they finally got it right?
Honestly, it’s rarely a "one and done" situation. The cardinals don't just walk in, point at a guy, and go to lunch. It’s a grind. A spiritual, political, and very sweaty grind inside the Sistine Chapel.
The Magic Number: How Many Times Did They Vote for the New Pope Francis?
Let’s look at the most recent real-world example. In 2013, when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, he didn't win on the first try. Not even close.
The cardinals entered the conclave on March 12. That evening? One vote. Result: Black smoke. No pope.
The next day, March 13, they went at it again. They usually do two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon. It took until the fifth ballot for Francis to hit the required two-thirds majority. That’s five separate times 115 men had to handwrite a name, walk up to an altar, and swear an oath before dropping a piece of paper into an urn.
Five ballots might sound like a lot, but in Vatican time, that’s practically a sprint.
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Benedict XVI and the "Quick" Win
Go back to 2005. Joseph Ratzinger, who became Benedict XVI, was even faster. He was the heavy favorite going in. It only took four ballots over two days.
People think these things take weeks because of the drama, but modern conclaves are actually getting shorter. Why? Because the cardinals talk. A lot. Before they ever lock the doors "with a key" (which is what conclave actually means), they spend days in "general congregations." Basically, they’re pre-gaming. They figure out the frontrunners so they don't spend a month staring at Michelangelo’s ceiling.
Why Does It Take So Many Rounds?
You might wonder why they don't just keep voting until someone wins. Well, they do, but there’s a rhythm to it.
- The First Day: Usually just one "ceremonial" vote in the afternoon. It's a vibe check. It shows who has support and who’s just a "tribute" vote.
- The Grind: Four votes a day. Two in the AM, two in the PM.
- The Deadlock Rule: If they hit a wall and can't decide after three days of voting (about 12-13 ballots), they take a break. A literal day off for prayer and "informal discussion." In other words: "Guys, we need to pick someone, the cafeteria food is getting old."
The 1268 Disaster (The Reason for the Rules)
If you think five votes is a lot, be glad you weren't a cardinal in 1268. That election lasted nearly three years.
The people of Viterbo, where the vote was happening, got so fed up that they locked the cardinals in a building. When that didn't work? They took the roof off so the rain would fall on them. Then they started rationing their food to just bread and water. Unsurprisingly, they picked a pope (Gregory X) pretty quickly after that.
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That’s why the rules are so strict today. The Church learned the hard way that if you give 100+ powerful men comfortable beds and good wine, they’ll never agree on anything.
Breaking Down the Modern Vote Tallies
Since the 1900s, the "how many times did they vote" question has had some pretty consistent answers. It's almost always under 15 rounds.
- Pius XII (1939): 3 ballots. The fastest in modern history.
- John Paul I (1978): 4 ballots.
- John Paul II (1978): 8 ballots. This one was a shocker because he was a "compromise" candidate after the favorites couldn't get enough steam.
- Pius XI (1922): 14 ballots. This was a marathon by 20th-century standards.
What Happens During a "Failed" Vote?
It’s not just about the number; it’s about what happens to the paper. Every time they vote and nobody gets two-thirds, they have to burn the ballots.
In the old days, they mixed the paper with damp straw to make the smoke black. Now, they use a sophisticated chemical cartridge. If you see black smoke, it means "we voted, but we're still arguing."
If someone hits the magic number (usually 77 votes if there are 115 cardinals), they burn the ballots with a different chemical to make the smoke white. Bells start ringing. The "how many times did they vote for the new pope" question is answered, and the world gets a new leader.
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The Human Factor: Does It Get Intense?
Sorta. You have to remember these men are mostly in their 70s and 80s. They’re stuck in a room with no cell phones, no internet, and no contact with the outside world.
According to leaked diaries (which aren't supposed to exist, but do), the mood during the 2005 vote for Benedict was actually pretty tense. Cardinal Bergoglio (the future Francis) actually came in second that year. He reportedly begged the other cardinals not to vote for him because he didn't want the job yet. He wanted to go back to Argentina.
It took four rounds of voting for the "Ratzinger" bloc to finally secure the win.
Actionable Insights: How to Follow the Next Conclave
If you’re tracking the next papal election, don’t expect a result on the first night. That almost never happens.
- Watch for the 2nd day: Most modern popes are elected on the second or third day of voting. That’s usually between the 4th and 8th ballot.
- The "Morning" Smoke: Smoke usually appears around 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM Rome time. If the smoke comes earlier, like 10:30 AM, it means the pope was elected on the first ballot of that session.
- Check the Cardinal Count: The number of votes needed is always two-thirds of the total electors. If there are 120 cardinals, the winner needs 80.
The process is a weird mix of ancient ritual and high-stakes math. While the number of times they vote varies, the outcome is always the same: white smoke, a new name, and a lot of very relieved cardinals who finally get to go home.
To keep track of Vatican updates or historical voting records, you should look into the official Vatican News archives or the Annuario Pontificio. They offer the most grounded, non-sensationalized data on how these transitions actually play out behind those heavy bronze doors.