Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 the Vatican entered its traditional period of mourning known as the Novemdiales, nine days of prayers, Masses, and solemn remembrance. By April 26, more than 200,000 mourners had crowded into St. Peter’s Square for his funeral, joined by world leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and former President Joe Biden.
But as the mourning period draws to a close, the Catholic Church’s attention is shifting — and fast. It’s almost time to begin the next papal conclave.
See also: What Was Buried With Pope Francis? The Meaning of the Personal Items He Chose
When Will the Conclave Begin?
The Vatican has confirmed that the 2025 conclave will officially kick off on May 7.
Tradition holds that a conclave begins between 15 and 20 days after a pope’s death, giving cardinals time to travel to Rome and for the Church to properly honor the departed pontiff.
Once the Novemdiales concludes, the cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel, the doors will swing shut behind them, and the world will have to wait. No one enters. No one leaves. Not until a new pope is chosen.
See also: Pope Francis’s Coffin Sealing Ceremony: What Happened During the Private Ritual
How Does the Conclave Work?
The papal conclave is one of the oldest — and easily one of the most secretive — electoral rituals still alive today. And despite the centuries, the basics haven’t changed much.
Who Votes?
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to cast a ballot. This time around, that means 135 electors, 108 of whom were appointed by Pope Francis — a detail that could have a major influence on the Church’s next chapter.
The Setting
The election unfolds inside the Sistine Chapel, sealed off from the outside world. Meanwhile, the cardinals reside at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City’s guesthouse, where internet, cellphones, and any contact with the outside are strictly banned. (Yes, even for them.)
The Process
Before a single vote is cast, the cardinals swear an oath of absolute secrecy. Breaking that oath doesn’t just earn you a stern talking-to — it means automatic excommunication.
The actual voting is old-school. Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a paper ballot, folds it twice, and places it carefully into a chalice atop the altar.
Votes are counted manually by designated scrutineers. A two-thirds majority is needed to declare a winner.
After each round, the ballots are burned.
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If no pope has been chosen, chemicals are added to create black smoke — the universal sign for “not yet.”
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If a candidate wins, the ballots burn clean, producing white smoke — and the world knows instantly: Habemus Papam.
This ritual can happen up to four times a day until someone crosses that critical threshold.
See also: The Pope Who Sold God: How Benedict IX’s Corruption Forced the Church to Invent the Conclave
How Long Could It Take?
Honestly? It’s a waiting game. Recent conclaves have wrapped up fairly quickly.
- In 2013, it took just five ballots over two days to elect Pope Francis.
- In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was chosen after four ballots across two days.
- Even Pope John Paul II, elected in 1978, only needed three days and eight ballots.
But the Catholic Church is no stranger to delays. In the 13th century, during the election of Pope Gregory X, things dragged on so long — almost three years — that exasperated officials locked the cardinals in, rationed their food, and even removed the roof of the palace to speed things up. (Spoiler: it eventually worked.)
Today, no one expects a three-year stalemate, but technically, there’s no official time limit. Until someone gets the two-thirds majority, the cardinals stay locked inside — and the world keeps watching that chimney.
See also: Why Pope Francis Chose to Be Buried at Santa Maria Maggiore — Not St. Peter’s
How Will the Public Know?
The age-old ritual of smoke signals remains.
Each day, crowds will gather in St. Peter’s Square, eyes glued to the tiny chimney atop the Sistine Chapel:
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Black smoke means another day of ballots and prayers.
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White smoke means a decision has been made — and a new era is about to begin.
Once the white smoke rises, the senior cardinal deacon will appear on the basilica’s balcony to deliver the historic announcement: “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope.”
Shortly after, the new pope himself will step into the spotlight, offering his first blessing to the faithful — and to the world.