Pope Francis during a ceremony in Vatican City on Palm Sunday 2021.
A papal conclave is convened within 15 to 20 days of death or resignation of the sitting pope to elect the successor. The college of Cardinals is tasked with the responsibility to choose the new pope. They have to be less than 80 years of age to be eligible to vote.
Although the protocol surrounding the election of a new pope has changed a bit since the early church era, secrecy remains a running theme. For this reason, the cardinals are locked in the Sistine Chapel and forbidden to disclose any information regarding the election to anyone outside the conclave.
Voting generally takes 2 – 3 days. A maximum of 4 ballots are held on each successive day with two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The votes are tallied and then burned. At least two-thirds votes plus one of the cardinals present are required for a candidate to be crowned pope.
If no result is obtained after 3 days of voting, the process is suspended for a maximum of one day. During this period the senior cardinal deacon holds prayers and addresses the cardinals. If the elections fail after 33 rounds of balloting, the cardinals may opt to consider half of the votes plus one as a win.
Since 1914, if black smoke (fumata nera) is seen emerging from the roof chimney of the Sistine Chapel it signifies a failed election. White smoke (fumata bianca) on the other hand, reveals a successful election.
Who Will Be the Next Pope After Francis?
A cardinal who is considered to be a likely candidate is informally described as a papabile which literally translates to “pope-able”.
Papacy is restricted to a short list of formal requirements. The candidate has to be male and baptized in the Catholic Church. Fluency in the Italian language comes without question.
Traditionally, the cardinals choose the successor from among themselves. Certain cardinals are more likely to be elected than others. This is subject to their religious, moral, political and general outlook.
Age is also a big factor. Some candidates are seen as being too young, while those close to 80 years old are seen as too advanced in years.
Campaigning for the position of pope is largely frowned upon. However, speculation of potential candidates is a common occurrence.