The Catholic Church has entered one of its most sacred and secretive traditions: the conclave to elect a new pope. Following the death of Pope Francis last month, 133 cardinal electors from across five continents have gathered in Vatican City to select the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
What Is the Conclave?
The conclave is the formal voting process in which eligible cardinals—those under the age of 80—elect the new pontiff. This event takes place in the Sistine Chapel, a 15th-century space adorned with Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes. It is known for its intense secrecy, with cardinals swearing an oath to keep the process confidential and surrendering all electronic devices.
How Does Voting Work?
The cardinals must achieve a two-thirds majority—at least 89 votes—to elect a new pope. They cast their ballots on slips of paper marked “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) and deposit them in an urn. The votes are then burned, producing either black smoke to signal no decision or white smoke to indicate a new pope has been chosen.
The first vote typically takes place on the evening of the conclave’s opening day. In recent history, both Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict XVI were elected within two days, though historically, conclaves have taken much longer—the longest lasting nearly three years in the 13th century.
Who Are the Contenders?
No clear frontrunner has emerged. Names circulating include Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, and Sri Lankan Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Pietro Parolin, a senior Vatican official and former secretary of state under Francis, is also considered a top contender.
The 2024 conclave is the largest in Church history, with participants from about 70 countries. Around 80% of the cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, suggesting many may favor a candidate who continues his legacy of reform and advocacy for the marginalized. Others, however, seek a return to stricter doctrinal conservatism.
What Challenges Await the New Pope?
The next pontiff will inherit a Church grappling with numerous issues: ongoing fallout from the clerical abuse crisis, declining church attendance in the West, internal divisions, and financial concerns. He will also face geopolitical challenges, requiring diplomacy in a time of global instability.
Until the white smoke rises, all eyes remain fixed on the Sistine Chapel chimney.
