The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals in a gathering called the papal conclave. Only cardinals under the age of 80, known as cardinal electors, are eligible to vote in the conclave
. The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, where the cardinal electors cast secret ballots. Voting occurs up to four times a day (twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon) until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority of the votes. If no candidate achieves this majority, the ballots are burned and black smoke is emitted to signal that no pope has been elected yet. White smoke signals the election of a new pope
. After a pope is elected, the chosen cardinal must accept the office and choose a papal name. The senior cardinal deacon then announces the new pope to the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica
. In summary:
- The pope is elected by cardinal electors (cardinals under 80 years old)
- The election occurs in the papal conclave held in the Sistine Chapel
- A two-thirds majority vote is required to elect the pope
- Voting is by secret ballot, conducted multiple times daily until a pope is chosen
- The election is signaled by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney
- The new pope accepts the office and is publicly announced
This process ensures the pope is chosen by senior church leaders in a confidential and ritualized procedure
