So, you’re watching the chimney. Millions of people are glued to a grainy livestream of a copper pipe on a roof in Rome, waiting for that puff of white smoke. Suddenly, there it is. The crowd in St. Peter’s Square goes absolutely wild. But here’s the thing: while the world is cheering and the bells are clanging, the man who just became the leader of 1.4 billion people is actually entering one of the most intense, private, and honestly, kinda terrifying hours of his life.
What happens after the pope is elected isn't just a quick wardrobe change and a wave. It’s a series of ancient, high-stakes rituals that happen behind locked doors before the "Habemus Papam" announcement ever hits the airwaves.
The Moment of "Accepto"
The voting is over. The scrutineers have finished counting the ballots in the Sistine Chapel. One man has hit the magic two-thirds majority. At this point, the atmosphere in that room must be heavy. The Dean of the College of Cardinals (or the most senior cardinal present) walks up to the chosen man. He asks a very specific question in Latin: “Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?” Basically, "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?"
There’s a real human moment here. The person being asked is usually an older man who, until ten minutes ago, might have been thinking about retirement or his favorite pasta place back home. Now, he has to say yes to a job he can’t really quit, overseeing a global institution. Once he says "Accepto" (I accept), he is technically the Pope. Right then. No inauguration needed. No swearing-in on a Bible. He’s the guy.
Picking the Name
Immediately after saying yes, he’s asked another question: "By what name do you wish to be called?"
This is the first big decision. It’s a signal to the world about what kind of Pope he’s going to be. If he picks Benedict, he’s likely leaning into tradition and scholarship. If he picks Francis, like Jorge Bergoglio did in 2013, he’s signaling a focus on the poor and humility. Historically, popes used to keep their birth names, but that changed around 533 AD when a guy named Mercurius was elected. He didn’t think it was a great look for a Christian leader to be named after a Roman god, so he became John II.
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Fun fact: Since 1555, every single pope has changed his name. And nobody—literally nobody—picks Peter. It’s considered the ultimate "unwritten rule" out of respect for the first apostle.
Entering the Room of Tears
This is the part most people don't know about. Before he goes out to the balcony, the new Pope is led through a small door to the left of the altar in the Sistine Chapel. This is the Camera Lacrimatoria, or the Room of Tears.
It’s a tiny, cramped room. Honestly, it’s remarkably plain compared to the rest of the Vatican. There’s a desk, a small red sofa, and three sets of white papal vestments (cassocks) waiting: small, medium, and large. Since the tailors don't know who’s going to win, they have to guess. They usually have a tailor on standby to do some quick pinning and tucking if the new guy is particularly tall or short.
Why is it called the Room of Tears? Because almost every man who enters it breaks down. The sheer weight of the responsibility—the "office of Peter"—finally hits them in the silence of that room. It’s the last time they will ever be a private citizen.
The First Act of Obedience
Once he’s dressed in the white cassock and the skullcap (zucchetto), he comes back into the Sistine Chapel. He’s now the "Vicar of Christ." He sits on a throne, and one by one, every single cardinal who just voted for him comes up to kneel and pledge their obedience.
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Imagine that for a second. These are his peers, his friends, people he was just having lunch with yesterday. Now, they are kneeling before him. It’s a total shift in reality.
The Smoke and the Bells
While all this is happening inside, the outside world is still staring at the smoke. The ballots and the notes the cardinals took are burned in a special stove. Since 1914, they’ve added chemicals to make sure the smoke is definitely white (magnesium, potassium chlorate, and lactose) or definitely black (anthracite and sulfur).
In 2005, during the election of Benedict XVI, the smoke was a bit "gray" and confusing, so they decided to start ringing the massive bells of St. Peter’s to confirm the election. If you ever see the smoke and hear the bells at the same time, you know for sure the decision is made.
Habemus Papam: The Big Reveal
About 30 to 60 minutes after the smoke appears, the lights behind the "Loggia of the Blessings" (the big balcony on the front of St. Peter's) turn on. The Cardinal Protodeacon steps out and says the famous words:
"Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!"
(I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!)👉 See also: The Yogurt Shop Murders Location: What Actually Stands There Today
He announces the birth name of the cardinal, and then the name he has chosen as Pope. The crowd usually erupts before he even finishes the sentence.
The Practical "Day One" Stuff
You might think the Pope gets a vacation after all that stress. Nope. His first few hours and days are a whirlwind of administrative "firsts" that are actually pretty fascinating.
- The Fisherman's Ring: He receives the Annulus Piscatoris. It’s a new ring made specifically for him, usually featuring St. Peter casting a net. This is used to seal official documents.
- The First Meal: He usually has dinner with the cardinals back at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (the guest house where they stay during the conclave). In 2013, Pope Francis famously toasted the cardinals by saying, "May God forgive you for what you have done."
- The Keys to the Apartment: The seal on the papal apartments (which was applied when the previous pope died or left) is broken. However, as we saw with Francis, the new Pope doesn't have to live there. He chose to stay in the guest house to be around people.
- The First Visit: Usually, the new Pope makes a private visit to a Roman basilica—often Santa Maria Maggiore—to pray and leave flowers. It’s his first time out in the "Popemobile" or a secured car as the sovereign of Vatican City.
Why This Matters in 2026
We live in a world of instant information, but the Vatican remains one of the last places on Earth that can keep a secret. The process of what happens after the pope is elected is a blend of 1,000-year-old mysticism and modern logistics. It’s designed to be slow, deliberate, and deeply emotional.
Whether you’re religious or not, there’s something undeniably human about the "Room of Tears." It reminds us that behind the gold and the marble, there’s just a person trying to figure out how to carry a burden that seems impossible.
If you're ever in Rome during a Sede Vacante (the period between popes), keep your eyes on the chimney. But remember, by the time you see the smoke, the man inside has already had his world turned upside down.
Your Next Steps
If you're fascinated by the inner workings of the Vatican, you should check out the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. It’s the actual "rulebook" written by John Paul II (and updated by Benedict XVI) that dictates every single step mentioned above. Also, keep an eye on the official Vatican News portal, as they often release behind-the-scenes footage of the Sistine Chapel setup before the doors are locked for the next conclave.