1. Confirmation of the Pope’s Death
Verification: When a pope dies, his death must be formally confirmed. Historically, this involved the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church (a cardinal appointed to administer the Church during the vacancy) gently tapping the pope’s forehead with a silver hammer and calling his baptismal name three times to ensure no response. While this ritual is largely symbolic and may not always be performed today, the Camerlengo, along with medical professionals, confirms the death.
Announcement: The Vatican officially announces the pope’s death to the world, typically through a statement from the Holy See Press Office. The death is also communicated to the College of Cardinals and other key Church officials.
Documentation: The Camerlengo oversees the preparation of official documents, including the death certificate, and ensures the papal apartments are sealed to preserve privacy and prevent tampering.
2. Sede Vacante (Vacant Seat)
Definition: The period between a pope’s death and the election of a new pope is called the sede vacante (“vacant seat”). During this time, the Church operates under interim governance.
Role of the Camerlengo: The Camerlengo assumes temporary administrative authority over the Vatican’s day-to-day operations. He manages the Church’s temporal affairs, such as finances and logistics, but has no spiritual authority (e.g., he cannot issue doctrinal statements).
Destruction of Symbols: The Camerlengo destroys the Ring of the Fisherman (the pope’s signet ring) and the papal lead seal, symbolizing the end of the deceased pope’s authority. These are typically broken with a silver hammer in the presence of witnesses.
Suspension of Normal Operations: Most Vatican offices cease major activities, and certain functions (e.g., appointing bishops) are paused until a new pope is elected.
3. Preparations for the Conclave
Notification of Cardinals: The Dean of the College of Cardinals notifies all cardinals worldwide of the pope’s death and summons those eligible (cardinals under 80 years old) to Rome for the conclave. There are typically around 120 eligible voting cardinals, though the exact number varies.
General Congregations: Before the conclave begins, cardinals gather in “General Congregations,” daily meetings to discuss Church matters, plan the conclave, and address logistical issues. These meetings also allow cardinals to assess potential candidates informally. Non-voting cardinals (those over 80) may attend these meetings but cannot vote in the conclave.
Funeral Preparations: The deceased pope’s body is prepared for public viewing, typically in St. Peter’s Basilica. A nine-day mourning period, called the Novendiales, is observed, during which Masses are held for the repose of the pope’s soul. The funeral usually occurs within 4–6 days of death, after which the body is interred, often in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
Logistical Arrangements: The Vatican prepares for the conclave, including securing the Sistine Chapel (where voting occurs), arranging accommodations for cardinals in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (a residence within Vatican City), and ensuring secrecy measures are in place.
4. The Conclave
Timing: According to Church law (Universi Dominici Gregis, issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996 and amended by Pope Benedict XVI), the conclave must begin between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death, allowing time for cardinals to travel to Rome and participate in preparations. However, this period can be shortened if all eligible cardinals are present.
Secrecy and Isolation: The word “conclave” comes from the Latin cum clave (“with a key”), reflecting the historical practice of locking cardinals in to ensure secrecy. Today, cardinals are sequestered in the Vatican, with no access to outside communication (e.g., phones, internet, or media). The Sistine Chapel is swept for electronic devices, and all personnel involved swear an oath of secrecy.
Participants:
Voting Cardinals: Only cardinals under 80 years old at the start of the sede vacante can vote. The maximum number of electors is capped at 120, though this can vary slightly.
Support Staff: A small number of aides, medical personnel, and priests (for confessions) are allowed to assist but are bound by strict confidentiality.
Oath of Secrecy: Before voting begins, cardinals take a solemn oath to maintain secrecy and to act in the best interest of the Church, invoking divine judgment if they violate it.
5. Voting Process
Location: Voting takes place in the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes, including The Last Judgment. The setting is meant to inspire solemnity and reflection.
Schedule: Voting occurs in sessions, with up to four ballots per day (two in the morning, two in the afternoon) until a pope is elected.
Balloting:
Each cardinal writes the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot paper, disguising their handwriting to ensure anonymity. The ballot includes the phrase Ego eligo (“I elect”) followed by the name.
Ballots are collected and counted by scrutineers (elected cardinals) in a highly ritualized process. Each ballot is read aloud, and the votes are tallied.
A candidate must receive a two-thirds majority of votes to be elected (e.g., 80 out of 120 votes). If there are fewer than 120 electors, the threshold adjusts accordingly.
Burning of Ballots: After each voting round, ballots are burned in a stove within the Sistine Chapel. Chemicals are added to produce black smoke (indicating no pope has been elected) or white smoke (indicating a pope has been chosen). This smoke is visible from St. Peter’s Square and signals the outcome to the public.
Deadlock Provisions: If no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority after multiple rounds (typically 33 or 34 ballots over about 12 days), the cardinals may decide to proceed with a runoff between the two leading candidates, requiring only a simple majority for election. This rule, introduced by John Paul II and modified by Benedict XVI, is rarely needed.
6. Election and Acceptance
Election: Once a candidate receives the required two-thirds majority, the Dean of the College of Cardinals approaches the cardinal-elect and asks, “Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?” (“Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”). If the candidate accepts, he immediately becomes pope.
Papal Name: The new pope is asked, “Quo nomine vis vocari?” (“By what name do you wish to be called?”). He chooses his papal name, often reflecting a predecessor or a symbolic virtue (e.g., John Paul, Francis).
Recording: The election is formally documented, and the new pope is vested in papal garments (white cassock, pectoral cross, etc.) in the Room of Tears, a small chamber adjacent to the Sistine Chapel.
6. Election and Acceptance (Continued)
Vesting as Pope: After accepting the election and choosing his papal name, the cardinal-elect, now the pope, is led to the Room of Tears (a small chamber near the Sistine Chapel) to don the papal vestments. These include a white cassock (custom-made in multiple sizes to fit the new pope), a pectoral cross, a red mozzetta (a short cape), and other symbols of papal authority. The “Room of Tears” is so named because of the overwhelming emotion many new popes experience upon realizing the weight of their new role.
First Acts: The new pope may briefly address the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, offering thanks or outlining his initial intentions. This is an informal moment before the public announcement.
7. Announcement of the New Pope
Habemus Papam: The election is announced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Cardinal Protodeacon (the senior cardinal deacon present) appears and proclaims in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!”). He then provides the new pope’s birth name, his chosen papal name, and his title as Bishop of Rome.
Example: For Pope Francis, the announcement was: “Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Georgium Marium, Cardinalem Bergoglio, qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum” (announcing Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who took the name Francis).
White Smoke: Before the announcement, the ballots from the final successful vote are burned with chemicals to produce white smoke, signaling to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square and the world that a new pope has been elected. This typically prompts cheers and anticipation.
Timing: The white smoke and Habemus Papam announcement usually occur within an hour of the election, allowing time for the new pope to vest and prepare.
8. First Papal Blessing
Urbi et Orbi: The new pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeted by the crowds gathered below. He delivers his first Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world”) blessing, a formal apostolic blessing that grants a plenary indulgence (forgiveness of temporal punishment for sins) to those present or watching via media, provided they meet certain spiritual conditions (e.g., confession, communion, and prayer for the pope’s intentions).
First Address: The pope often delivers a brief speech, introducing himself, outlining his vision, or requesting prayers. For example, Pope Francis famously began his pontificate in 2013 by asking the faithful to pray for him, striking a humble tone.
Global Broadcast: This moment is broadcast worldwide, marking the official public introduction of the new pontiff.
9. Transition to the Papacy
Taking Possession of the Papal Apartments: After the announcement, the new pope moves into the Apostolic Palace (or, in some cases, opts for simpler accommodations, as Pope Francis did by choosing the Domus Sanctae Marthae). The papal apartments, sealed during the sede vacante, are reopened and prepared for the new pope.
Installation Mass: The new pope’s formal inauguration occurs during a Mass in St. Peter’s Square, often called the “Mass of Inauguration” or “Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry.” This typically takes place within days or weeks of the election. During this Mass:
The pope receives the pallium (a woolen stole symbolizing his authority as a shepherd) and the Ring of the Fisherman (a new ring created for his pontificate).
The ceremony is attended by cardinals, bishops, world leaders, and thousands of faithful.
Unlike a coronation (discontinued after Pope Paul VI), the focus is on the pope’s role as a servant-leader.
First Acts of Governance: The pope begins appointing key officials, such as the Secretary of State, and may issue initial statements or encyclicals to signal his priorities. He also resumes normal papal functions, such as audiences, blessings, and governance of the universal Church.
10. Conclusion of the Process
End of Sede Vacante: With the election and acceptance of the new pope, the sede vacante period formally ends. The College of Cardinals’ role in governance ceases, and the new pope assumes full spiritual and temporal authority over the Church.
Resumption of Church Operations: Vatican offices resume normal activities, and the pope begins addressing pressing issues, such as appointments, global crises, or doctrinal matters.
Historical Record: The conclave’s proceedings are documented, but most details (e.g., vote tallies, discussions) remain confidential. Ballots are typically archived in sealed Vatican records, inaccessible to the public.
Key Notes on the Process
Secrecy: The conclave’s secrecy is paramount, with penalties (including excommunication) for violations. This ensures cardinals vote freely without external pressure.
Duration: The length of the conclave varies. Modern conclaves typically last 1–3 days, with 2–5 voting rounds, due to improved communication and preparation. Historically, some conclaves lasted weeks or months due to travel delays or political interference.
Universi Dominici Gregis: The apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis (1996, amended 2013) governs the process, outlining rules for the conclave, voting, and sede vacante. It prohibits practices like electing a pope by acclamation or delegation and ensures the process remains democratic within the College of Cardinals.
Eligibility: Any baptized male Catholic can theoretically be elected pope, though in practice, the choice is almost always a cardinal. Non-cardinals or non-bishops elected would need to be ordained as a bishop before assuming the papacy.
Example Timeline (Based on Recent Conclaves)
Day 1 (Pope’s Death): Death confirmed, Camerlengo takes charge, Ring of the Fisherman destroyed.
Days 2–9: Novendiales Masses, funeral, General Congregations begin.
Days 10–15: Cardinals arrive, conclave preparations intensify.
Days 15–20: Conclave begins, voting occurs (1–3 days typically).
Election Day: White smoke, Habemus Papam, first blessing.
Within 1–2 Weeks: Inauguration Mass, formal start of pontificate.