The world watches a chimney. It sounds like something out of a medieval fairy tale, but it’s the reality for over a billion people when a papacy ends. When the See of Peter becomes vacant—what the Church calls Sede Vacante—the gears of an ancient, highly secretive machine begin to turn. The process for electing a pope isn't just a vote; it’s a mix of high-stakes diplomacy, religious ritual, and total isolation that has evolved over two millennia. Honestly, it’s one of the few things left on earth that hasn't been ruined by a leaked live stream or a Twitter spoiler.
Once a Pope dies or resigns (shout out to Benedict XVI for reminding us that’s an option), the power doesn't go to a "VP." It briefly rests with the College of Cardinals. But they aren't running the show—they’re just keeping the lights on until they can lock themselves in a room and pick a new leader.
The Lockdown Begins: Welcome to the Conclave
The word "conclave" literally means "with a key." They lock the doors. Historically, this was to stop outside kings and emperors from meddling, but today it's mostly to keep the press and the internet out. Cardinals move into the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guesthouse inside Vatican City, and they are strictly forbidden from talking to anyone on the outside. No phones. No newspapers. No "Checking in at the Vatican" on Facebook.
Before the voting starts, the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel. It’s an intimidating place to make a career choice, standing under Michelangelo's "Last Judgment." They take an oath of secrecy. If you blab about what happened inside, you’re looking at immediate excommunication. That’s about as serious as it gets in the Catholic world.
The process for electing a pope officially kicks off with the Extra omnes—the command for everyone not involved in the vote to get out. The doors are bolted. The search for bugs (the electronic kind) is conducted by Vatican security to ensure no one is eavesdropping on the Holy Spirit’s supposed guidance.
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How the Voting Actually Happens
You might think it’s a simple majority. It’s not. To become the Bishop of Rome, a candidate needs a two-thirds majority. This high bar is why conclaves can drag on for days.
The ballot is a rectangular piece of paper. On the top, it says Eligo in Summum Pontificem ("I elect as Supreme Pontiff"). Cardinals try to disguise their handwriting so nobody can figure out who voted for whom. They fold the ballot twice, hold it up, and carry it to the altar.
- They swear another oath before dropping the ballot into a chalice.
- Three "Scrutineers" (basically the tellers) count the votes.
- The third Scrutineer pierces each ballot with a needle through the word Eligo and strings them together.
If no one hits that two-thirds mark, they burn the ballots with a chemical additive that produces black smoke. Fumata nera. If we have a winner, they use a different chemical to make the smoke white. Fumata bianca. People always ask about the "draft." Can any Catholic man be elected? Technically, yes. You don't even have to be a priest. But let's be real: the last time they picked someone who wasn't a Cardinal was Urban VI in 1378. It didn't go great—it actually started a schism. Since then, the process for electing a pope has stayed within the "Princes of the Church."
The Politics Behind the Prayers
It’s easy to think of this as a purely spiritual event, but cardinals are human. They have "camps." You usually have the reformers versus the traditionalists. During the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis, there was a lot of buzz around Cardinal Angelo Scola and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (who became Francis).
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The "pre-conclave" meetings, called General Congregations, are where the real work happens. Cardinals stand up and talk about the state of the Church. This is where they size each other up. They might not be campaigning in the traditional sense—no yard signs or TV ads—but they are definitely building consensus.
Why the "Papabile" Often Lose
There’s an old Roman saying: "He who enters the conclave a pope, leaves it a cardinal." Basically, the frontrunners (the papabile) often get blocked. If two big names cancel each other out, the electors often pivot to a "compromise candidate"—someone older who might have a shorter reign, or someone from a neutral region.
After the White Smoke
The moment someone gets enough votes, the Cardinal Dean asks: "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?" If they say yes (and they usually do, though some have supposedly wept in terror), they are asked what name they want to take. This is a huge statement of intent. Picking "Francis" signaled a focus on the poor. Picking "Benedict" signaled a tie to European tradition.
Then comes the "Room of Tears." It’s a tiny red-carpeted room off the Sistine Chapel where the new Pope puts on his white robes for the first time. It’s called that because almost every new Pope breaks down there, overwhelmed by the weight of the job. Honestly, who wouldn't? You just went from being a high-ranking official to the "Vicar of Christ" for life.
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Finally, the senior Cardinal Deacon steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and announces: Habemus Papam! (We have a Pope!)
Key Myths About the Papal Election
- The Pope can't resign: Wrong. Benedict XVI proved this. However, the process for electing a pope doesn't change much regardless of whether the previous guy died or retired.
- The white smoke is just straw: It used to be wet straw for black and dry straw for white. It was super unreliable and usually just looked gray. In 2005, the Vatican installed a chemical flare-like system to make it unmistakable.
- It’s a popularity contest: Sorta, but not really. It’s more about the "vibe" of where the Church needs to go next.
Actionable Insights for Following the Next Conclave
If you want to track the next transition of power in the Vatican like an expert, keep these steps in mind:
- Watch the "Pre-Conclave" Narratives: Pay attention to the General Congregations. The topics discussed there (like financial reform or evangelization in Global South) usually dictate the type of man who will be elected.
- Look Beyond Italy: The College of Cardinals is more international than ever. The process for electing a pope is no longer an Italian-only affair; look for "dark horse" candidates from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Identify the "Kingmakers": Certain cardinals, like the Secretary of State or heads of major Vatican departments, hold immense sway over blocs of voters.
- Monitor the Age Factor: If the Church is in a period of turmoil, they often elect an older "transitional" pope to steady the ship for a few years rather than a young man who might reign for three decades.
The election is a rare moment where a 2,000-year-old institution hits the "reset" button. It’s a mix of the divine and the deeply human, played out in smoke and silence.