What is a Conclave? Conclave to Elect a New Pope Explained a Guide

 Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Roman Catholic Church now turns its eyes toward the College of Cardinals, who will soon gather in solemn secrecy to elect the next pope.  This historic moment marks the beginning of the sede vacante ("vacant seat") period and initiates the sacred and secretive process known as the conclave. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who chooses the next pope; which is why it is crucial that the faithful pray.

A prayer provided by the Knights of Columbus that is suitable for this period:

O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church, we thank you for the ministry of Pope Francis and the selfless care with which he has led us as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth. Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church on the rock of Peter’s faith and have never left Your flock untended, look with love upon us now, and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity. Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us, a new Pope for Your Church who will please You by his holiness and lead us faithfully to You, who are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. (Include an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be)

The Vatican announced that a  conclave to elect the 267th Pope will begin on May 7th, following the conclusion of the Novemdiales Masses to pray for the eternal repose of the late Pope Francis.
The Cardinals present in Rome agreed to begin the conclave on May 7th, 2025.

What is a Conclave and How is a New Pope Elected? 

New pope's are elected in the conclave, which literally means "with a key" in Latin, is the process of election. It takes place in strict isolation to prevent any external influence. Since 1878, all papal conclaves have been held in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Before the conclave, the cardinals hold a series of meetings called General Congregations. All cardinals, including those over 80 who cannot vote, participate in these discussions. They address the current state of the Church, discuss the qualities needed in the next Pope, and make practical arrangements for the conclave, such as setting the date.  

Entry into the Conclave: On the appointed day, the cardinal electors participate in a solemn Mass in St. Peter's Basilica invoking the Holy Spirit. In the afternoon, they process into the Sistine Chapel.  

Oath of Secrecy: Once inside, all individuals other than the cardinal electors and a few essential personnel (masters of ceremonies, medical staff, etc.) are asked to leave, with the traditional call "Extra omnes" ("Everyone out"). The doors are then locked, and the cardinals take a solemn oath to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the proceedings. Any breach of this secrecy incurs automatic excommunication. The chapel is checked for any recording devices or means of communication with the outside world.
Who Can Become Pope?

Eligibility for Pope: Canon law states that any baptized male Catholic can be elected Pope. However, since 1378, every Pope elected has been a cardinal. The College of Cardinals typically chooses one of its own members.

When Will the Conclave Begin?

According to Church law, a conclave must begin no sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the pope's death. Therefore, the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025. Sources suggest May 7 as a probable start date, allowing time for all eligible cardinals to arrive in Rome and for the nine days of mourning (novemdiales) to be observed.

Who Are the Cardinal Electors?

• As of April 23 2025, there are 252 cardinals and 135 (133) cardinal electors—cardinals under the age of 80—eligible to vote. However, 2 cardinals have declined to attend due to their health: UPDATE Originally Cardinal Vinko Puljic, had decided not to attend, the 79-year-old archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina - but upon receiving clearance from his physician, he now plans to participate. Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, archbishop emeritus of Valencia, Spain will not attend due to health reasons. Also, Cardinal John Njue of Kenya, (age 79) Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, will not attend due to health reasons.

• These princes of the Church represent every continent and a wide range of pastoral and curial experiences. Here’s a regional breakdown (from the latest Pew Research):
  

• Asia-Pacific region accounts for 18% of voting-age cardinals, up from 10% in 2013.
• Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 12% of cardinals, up from 8%.
• The Latin America-Caribbean region has 18%, up from 17%.
• The Middle East-North Africa region has 3%, up from 2%.
• Europe has 40%, down from 51%. 
• North America accounts for 10%, down from 12%.
  
• The conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which will be sealed to visitors during those days.
  Vatican News explained the proces:
• The conclave will be preceded by a solemn Eucharistic celebration with the votive Mass Pro Eligendo Papa, attended by the Cardinal electors.
  In the afternoon, the Cardinal electors proceed in a solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel, where the Conclave begins to elect the new Pope.
  At the end of the procession inside the Sistine Chapel, each Cardinal elector takes the oath as prescribed in paragraph 53 of Universi Dominici Gregis.
  Through this oath, they commit, if elected, to faithfully fulfill the Munus Petrinum as Pastor of the Universal Church.
  They also pledge to maintain absolute secrecy regarding everything related to the election of the Roman Pontiff and to refrain from supporting any attempts of external interference in the election.
  At this point, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations proclaims extra omnes, meaning that all individuals who are not part of the Conclave must leave the Sistine Chapel.
  Only the Master himself and the ecclesiastic designated to deliver the second meditation remain.
  This meditation focuses on the grave responsibility that rests upon the electors and the necessity of acting with pure intentions for the good of the Universal Church, keeping only God before their eyes.
  Once the meditation is delivered, both the ecclesiastic and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations leave.
  The Cardinal electors then recite prayers according to the Ordo Sacrorum Rituum Conclavis and listen to the Cardinal Dean, who asks whether they are ready to proceed with voting or if any clarifications regarding the rules and procedures.
  All election procedures take place exclusively in the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican Apostolic Palace, which remains completely sealed off until the election is concluded.
  Throughout the election process, the Cardinal electors must refrain from sending letters or engaging in conversations, including phone calls, except in cases of extreme urgency.
  They are not allowed to send or receive messages of any kind, receive newspapers or magazines of any nature, or follow radio or television broadcasts.
  How many votes are required to elect a Pope?
  To validly elect a new Pope, a two-thirds majority of the electors present is required.
  If the total number of electors is not evenly divisible by three, an additional vote is necessary.
  
  If voting begins on the afternoon of the first day, there will be only one ballot. On subsequent days, two ballots are held in the morning and two in the afternoon.
  
  After the votes are counted, all ballots are burned. If the ballot was inconclusive, a chimney positioned over the Sistine Chapel emits black smoke. If a Pope is elected, white smoke will billow out of the chimney.
  If the electors fail to reach an agreement on a candidate after three days of inconclusive voting, a break of up to one day is allowed for prayer, free discussion among voters, and a brief spiritual exhortation by the Cardinal Proto-Deacon (Cardinal Dominique Mamberti).
  What happens immediately after a new Pope is elected?
  Once the Cardinals have elected a new Pope, the last of the Cardinal Deacons calls the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations into the Sistine Chapel.
  The Dean of the College, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, speaking on behalf of all the electors, asks for the elected candidate’s consent with the following words: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
  Upon receiving consent, he then asks: “What name do you wish to be called?”
  The functions of a notary, with two Ceremonial Officers as witnesses, are carried out by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, who drafts the document of acceptance and records the chosen name.
  From this moment, the newly-elected Pope acquires full and supreme authority over the universal Church. The Conclave ends immediately at this point.
  The Cardinal electors then pay homage and pledge obedience to the new Pope, and thanks are given to God.
  The Cardinal Proto-Deacon then announces to the faithful the election and the name of the new Pontiff with the famous line: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; Habemus Papam.”
  Immediately afterward, the new Pope gives the Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi from the Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
  The final step required is that, after the solemn inauguration ceremony of the Pontificate and within a suitable time, the new Pope formally takes possession of the Patriarchal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.v