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Posted on 04/23/2025 9:45:09 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
As the Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis, attention turns to the solemn and sacred task that lies ahead: the selection of his successor.
That process is called the conclave — an ancient method of discernment that has changed little over the past 800 years. It begins in earnest once the seat of Peter is vacant, whether by death or resignation.
The name “conclave” comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key” — a reference to the tradition of locking the doors during the voting process.
The period following a pope’s death is marked by prayer, reflection, and careful preparation. The day-to-day governance of the Church passes temporarily to the College of Cardinals, who gather in Rome for a series of meetings known as general congregations. In these sessions, the cardinals discuss the pastoral and global needs of the Church, make logistical arrangements, and prepare for the election of the new pope.
During this interim period, the camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church plays a crucial role in managing the Church’s temporal affairs. That responsibility now falls to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a Dublin native appointed to the role by Pope Francis in 2019. As camerlengo, he is charged with verifying the pope’s death, securing the papal apartments, and managing Vatican operations until a new pontiff is selected.
Cardinal Farrell, who previously served as bishop of Dallas, Texas, will also serve as a voting member in the upcoming conclave.
The conclave itself is the formal election process. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and their number is capped at 120. Though, in theory, any baptized Catholic male could be elected, for many centuries popes have been chosen exclusively from among the cardinals. The last time a non-cardinal was elected pope was in 1378, when Bartolomeo Prignano was elected and became Pope Urban VI.
Before the conclave begins, the cardinals celebrate Mass together, invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They then process into the Sistine Chapel, where the papal conclave has been held since 1858.
Once inside, they swear an oath of secrecy — any violation of which carries the penalty of excommunication.
Then comes the solemn moment when the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations announces “Extra omnes” — “Everyone out” — signaling that all non-essential personnel must leave. With the doors sealed, the cardinal electors begin the election in complete isolation from the outside world.
The rule of complete isolation applies not only during the sessions at the Sistine Chapel but throughout their stay. No electronic devices are allowed and all communications with the outside world of any kind, especially news, are blocked.
Voting is conducted by secret ballot, with up to four rounds each day. Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate and places the ballot at the altar. Nine cardinals, selected by lot, oversee the process — three to collect the votes, three to count them, and three to verify them.
A two-thirds majority is required to elect the new pope. After the 33rd ballot, if no candidate has secured the necessary two-thirds majority, the cardinal electors limit the voting to the two individuals who received the highest number of votes in the previous ballot.
After each pair of ballots — once in the morning and once in the afternoon — the ballots are burned in a stove within the Sistine Chapel. If no pope has been elected, chemicals are added to produce black smoke, signaling to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square that the Church continues to wait.
When a candidate finally receives the required votes and accepts the office, the ballots are burned with a different mixture, producing white smoke — announcing to the world that a new pope has been chosen.
When not voting, the cardinals remain confined to the Apostolic Palace for the entire duration of the conclave.
One of the most drawn-out papal elections in Church history took place in the late 13th century. It stretched nearly three years due to intense political divisions. The conclave dragged on so long that three of the cardinal electors died before a pope was finally chosen.
To avoid such stalemate, the Church instituted the strict conclave rules still in use today, which include secluding the cardinals and requiring a two-thirds majority.
After the decision is made, the elected cardinal is asked if he accepts and if so, then required to choose a papal name. This choice is deeply symbolic, often reflecting the virtues, mission, or legacy the new pontiff hopes to embody. Some draw inspiration from beloved predecessors — like John Paul or Benedict — while others choose names that honor saints whose witness shaped their vocation. The selection often offers the first glimpse into the heart and priorities of the new Holy Father.
It has become an unspoken tradition that no pope selects the name Peter, out of respect for the unique and unrepeatable role of the Apostle whom Christ Himself named the Church’s first shepherd.
After selecting his name, the new pope is led to a nearby chamber known as the “Room of Tears,” where he is vested in white papal robes and red slippers. The room’s name reflects the overwhelming emotion many popes have experienced in realizing the magnitude of their call to succeed St. Peter.
Shortly afterward, the newly elected pope appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The senior cardinal deacon steps forward and declares: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” — “I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope!” The new Holy Father then offers his first apostolic blessing, urbi et orbi, to the city of Rome and to the world.
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Someone here the other day was saying, with the election of Pope Francis, that he was behind some other candidates in early rounds of voting, but then gained support in successive rounds that resulted in his election.
I’ve wondered how does someone know that, if everyone is sworn to secrecy and they burn the ballots?
It would be interesting to see how the voting goes, assuming they have multiple ballots before they choose someone.
With exceptions, many Cardinals and their aides eventually talk discretely off the record about a conclave, especially after the Pope starts talking and effectively relaxes the vow of secrecy. In addition, discussions before a conclave are not considered subject to the vow of secrecy.
A new pope will be selected by those that Francis put into position. In my mind this insures that next pope will be even worse than himself.
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You don’t want to know. It gave us great holy popes and just aweful popes, because it all depends on voting mens holiness, sinfulness, and ignorance.
God will use whomever for His Greater Glory, if even to humble his flock in their continued obsinate sinfulness as Francis did overall.
Praised Be Jesus Christ.
Black smoke, white smoke...I forgive them for their carbon footprint. /s
Last time they voted for the mosy commuknist
IIRC They used to burn green wood for white smoke.
I wonder if they burned coal for the dark smoke.
The white smoke says that the hashish is good. The black smoke says that it hasn’t arrived yet.
That said, the Roman Catholic Church, as it exists today at the top, is a joke and is evil. I believe in one thing; Jesus. His words, His Love. Nothing else matters.
Flame if you must.
BINGO was a huge part of my early “church“ experience. Those nuns and “priests” loved to gamble.
“ it all depends on voting mens (sic) holiness, sinfulness, and ignorance.”
This so-called “church” is one of Satan’s greatest tools.
Nope - Satan’s foibles always falter away. The fact that the Church despite all the bad popes, bishops, priests, etc. still survives is only due to the grace of God. Nothing else.
Sola Gratia.
Satan’s greatest tools were the various philosophies that have arisen in 19th century America - the Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah’s witnesses, Christian Scientists, Dispensationalists etc. — these are modernist and deviate from what Christ taught.
At the top of the Catholic Church is Jesus - He is the High priest at every mass.
The problem with the new religions that are there in American, created in the 19th century - they either deny Christ completely (like the Jehovah’s witnesses) or twist His words (Dispensationalism, Prosperity gospel etc.)
the fact that there are sinners in the church tells us all embers of the Church, including her ministers, must acknowledge that they are sinners. In everyone, the weeds of sin will still be mixed with the good wheat of the Gospel until the end of time. This echoes Jesus’ parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13:24-30), where good and evil coexist in the Church until the final judgment.
With regards to priests, yes, even 1 bad priest is 1 too many, I fully agree - and you need to note at the same time that Priests are human and subject to sin, as are all people. The Church teaches that ordination imparts a sacramental character but does not remove human weakness. While failures are scandalous, they are not universal. Many priests faithfully live their vows, serving sacrificially in poverty, chastity, and obedience. For example, saints like St. John Vianney (d. 1859) and countless unnamed priests exemplify fidelity. The media often amplifies scandals, overshadowing the majority who serve humbly.
The efficacy of sacraments does not depend on the priest’s holiness (ex opere operato). A sinful priest can still validly administer the Eucharist or absolve sins because the grace comes from Christ, not the minister
the Church acknowledges its history of corruption and the sinfulness of its members, including priests who fail in poverty, chastity, and obedience. These failings are real but do not negate the Church’s divine foundation by Christ, its holiness as His Bride, or its authority to teach and sanctify. The Church is a hospital for sinners, guided by the Holy Spirit, and has a history of reforming itself through councils, saints, and repentance. Scandals, like clergy abuse, are gravely sinful, but reforms and the faithfulness of many clergy show the Church’s commitment to renewal. Catholics are called to personal conversion, accountability, and trust in Christ’s promise that the gates of hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:18), ensuring the Church’s mission endures despite human weakness.
You mean someone outside the conclave? They don't really "know" that; it's basically rumor that's not supposed to get started in the first place.
Inside and during the conclave, the results are announced after every ballot ... not who voted for whom, but how many votes are cast for which man. The ballots are also announced as they are counted, so (a Cardinal who wanted to) could keep an independent tally.
Traditionally, they burned wet hay for the black smoke, and just the ballots by themselves for white smoke. That apparently led to some ambiguous smoking, so chemicals (not sure what kind) are added to color the smoke.
Well, it started with twelve guys, one of whom turned traitor, and eleven of whom ran away like scared rabbits when things got ugly.
"I tell you truly, Peter, before the cock crows you will deny me three times."
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