CONCLAVE

 

Yesterday, on April 22nd, 2025, Pope Francis passed away. That is why there is currently no Pope, and the Church must organize a conclave to choose a new one. But what is a conclave, and how does it work?

First of all, they wait twenty days after the Pope's death. Then, a general congregation is called. The cardinals who vote must be under eighty years old. When they enter the place where the voting takes place, they are not allowed to bring anything with them—only themselves. To maintain integrity, the doors are locked, and the cardinals take an oath of secrecy.

During the discussions, the cardinals talk about the necessary qualities and requirements for the next Pope. For example: integrity, leadership, theological knowledge, a good reputation, wisdom, and the current needs of the Church.

Finally, each cardinal writes the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot. A two-thirds majority is required for someone to be elected. If no one receives enough votes, a new election is held, and all the ballots are burned. The color of the smoke signals the result to the public: black smoke means no Pope has been chosen, while white smoke means a new Pope has been elected.