In a centuries-old ritual steeped in secrecy and tradition, 133 Catholic cardinals have begun the sacred process of electing the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The high-stakes conclave officially commenced Wednesday evening inside the Sistine Chapel after a solemn day of preparation, signaling the Church’s transition into a new papal era.
A Sacred Ceremony Begins
Earlier in the day, hundreds of cardinals gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica for a morning Mass at 10 a.m. local time, invoking divine guidance in selecting the 267th pope. By mid-afternoon, the 133 voting cardinals processed from the Pauline Chapel into the Sistine Chapel, the iconic site of papal elections since 1492. There, beneath Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, they took an oath of secrecy before the doors were sealed behind them.
At approximately 5 p.m., under the oversight of the conclave’s master of ceremonies, the voting officially began. The cardinals—drawn from every corner of the globe—will now participate in a series of ballots that will continue until a single candidate secures a two-thirds majority vote.
How the Conclave Voting Works
Each cardinal elector submits his vote by writing a name on a folded paper ballot, carried to the altar between two fingers as a symbol of reverence and solemnity. The ballots are placed into a designated urn atop the altar. To preserve the anonymity of the process, cardinals are instructed to write in a way that cannot be personally identified.
Votes are then counted by three elected scrutineers. If the total number of ballots does not match the number of electors, the entire round is nullified, and a new vote is conducted.
If any cardinal is unable to enter the chapel due to illness or infirmity, their vote is cast from their room at the Domus Sanctae Marthae and securely transported to the Sistine Chapel in a sealed lockbox.
Smoke Signals the World Watches For
The end of each ballot round is signaled by the burning of the ballots. Black smoke—fumata nera—rising from the stovepipe atop the Sistine Chapel signifies that no pope has yet been elected. White smoke—fumata bianca—accompanied by the ringing of St. Peter’s Basilica bells, will announce that a new pope has been chosen.
Typically, up to four ballots are conducted each day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. If no clear choice emerges after three days, voting pauses for 24 hours to allow prayer and reflection. This cycle repeats, with up to seven additional rounds followed by another break.
What Happens If There’s a Deadlock?
Historically, most conclaves have concluded in under five days—no conclave since 1831 has lasted longer. However, if 33 or 34 rounds of voting fail to elect a pope (usually after about 13 days), a rule introduced by Pope Benedict XVI takes effect: only the two leading candidates from previous ballots will proceed to a final runoff. These two cannot vote but may witness the proceedings. The candidate who secures two-thirds of the votes in the runoff will become the new pontiff.
The Road Ahead
As the world watches for signs of white smoke, Catholics and observers alike are left speculating who will emerge as the next spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion followers. Will the Church continue in the progressive footsteps of Pope Francis, or pivot in a new direction altogether?
The outcome will shape not only the future of Catholic doctrine and governance but also the Church’s role in global issues ranging from climate change and poverty to sexual abuse reforms and interfaith dialogue.
For now, all eyes remain fixed on the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the centuries-old ritual unfolding within.
Why This Matters:
The election of a new pope is a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church and global religious leadership. With challenges ranging from declining church attendance in some regions to growing influence in others, the decision made behind the chapel’s sealed doors could redefine the Church’s direction for decades.
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