Cardinals Prepare for Historic Conclave to Elect Next Pope

The customs of the Catholic Church are clear and carefully orchestrated. As the mourning period for Pope Francis ends, attention now turns to the conclave — the traditional, secretive process to elect the next pope.

Over the next two weeks, cardinals under the age of 80 will travel from across the globe to Vatican City. They will participate in both formal meetings, known as general congregations, and informal conversations as they begin to weigh the future leadership of the Church.

“Keep in mind that cardinals are human beings. They're political animals as well,” said longtime Vatican observer Philip Pullella. “They will be meeting in various places. Cardinal X will say to Cardinal Y, ‘I’ve been talking about this to Cardinal Z. Let’s go have a pizza.’”

The word "conclave" comes from Latin, meaning "locked with a key." True to its name, the cardinals will be sealed inside the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo’s famed frescoes. No phones, no electronics — not even notes — are allowed.

Each day after the first, there are four rounds of secret ballots until one cardinal receives a two-thirds majority vote. In 2013, Pope Francis was elected in just two days. This year, the list of potential successors spans continents — with possible pontiffs from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Holy Land, and Canada.

Observers are watching closely to see whether the new pope will continue Pope Francis’ progressive legacy or steer the Church in a more conservative direction. Age may also play a role in the decision, as the Vatican often prefers leaders who are not likely to serve for several decades.

As voting continues, the world waits for the symbolic smoke signals — black for no decision, white for a new pope.

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