Electing a new Pope: How does the process work?

How does the conclave pick a new pope? 8 things to know

The world won’t know the next leader of the world’s Catholics until he appears before a throng of supporters in St. Peter’s Square. But in the coming days, powerful members of the Catholic Church from around the world will take part in a process that is part spiritual and part pragmatic.

Electing a new Pope: How does the process work?

Cardinals attend a mass on the fifth of nine days of mourning for late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino / AP)The largest Christian church in the world is set to choose a new leader after Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.And beginning May 7, the process to pick a new pope will begin as the papal conclave convenes.It’s a tradition that has been passed on for c…

The rites and rules for choosing Peter's successor, Everything you need to know to get to Habemus papam. The ban on cell phones, the unknown of the duration

During the first millennium, the bishop of Rome was elected with the diffuse and traditional procedure of election made “by the clergy and by the people.” However, when something failed or was deficient with regard to this ideal development of things, it was not the election, but the competition between [...]

Ten frequently asked questions about electing a pope answered - OSV News - The Dialog

Thousands gather in St. Peter’s Square, waiting for the sign that a new pope has been elected. All watch as the dark wisps of smoke ascending from the Sistine Chapel turn to white, and a cheer arises that will encircle the globe. The new earthly leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been chosen. That will soon be the scene, when the world’s cardinals under the age of 80 gather to elect the successor of Pope Francis, who died April 21 from a st…

During the Conclave it takes at least 89 votes to elect the new pope and most of the time the cardinals only devote themselves to voting and praying.