When a pope dies, time stands still in the Vatican. It all begins with a gesture that is both symbolic and practical: the death of Pope Francis is confirmed by the Camerlengo – the cardinal who temporarily governs the Vatican while the world waits.
From that moment on, the Church enters an interregnum, a transitional period during which the papal seat is vacant – or sede vacante, as it is called in Latin.
Nine days of prayer and mourning follow. The pope lies in an open casket in St. Peter’s Basilica, and heads of state and the faithful gather to pay their respects.
The funeral usually takes place within four to six days. But in the shadow of grief, preparations begin for what is to take place behind closed doors.
The Call to Rome and the Beginning of the Conclave
All cardinals under the age of 80 – typically around 120 men – are summoned to Rome. They are the ones with voting rights in the election of the new pope.
They stay in Domus Sanctae Marthae, a sort of guesthouse in the Vatican, completely isolated from the outside world. No phones. No newspapers. No internet.
About two weeks after the pope’s death, they gather in the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling arches above them as the words extra omnes – “everyone else out” – signal the start.
Only the voting cardinals and a few officials remain. The doors are locked. A new pope must be chosen, and it must happen in absolute secrecy.
The Votes, the Smoke, and the Decision
Each cardinal receives a ballot with the words eligo in summum pontificem – “I elect as Supreme Pontiff.” The name is written down, the paper folded, and placed into a chalice.
The votes are then counted, and the ballots are burned. To signal the result to the world, chemicals are added to the fire: black smoke, fumata nera, means no decision has been reached. White smoke, fumata bianca, means a new pope has been chosen.
If no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority after three days of voting, a day of reflection is granted.
The process can take hours – or days. The longest conclave in modern times, in 1922, lasted five days.
When We Have a Pope
As soon as the decision is made, the chosen cardinal is asked if he accepts. If he says yes, he selects a new name.
For nearly 500 years, no pope has kept his baptismal name – a new name signals a new direction, and also honors a former pope.
The newly elected pope then withdraws to the Room of Tears – a small chamber next to the chapel – to dress in white vestments, prepared in three sizes.
Then, he steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. And with the words: “Habemus Papam” – “We have a pope”, he is presented to the world.
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