Mourning for Francis: How is his successor chosen now?

While the world around Pope Francis (1936-2025) mourns, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, the first preparations for the choice of his successor take place in the background. When a Pope dies or resigns, a carefully structured process begins in the Catholic Church. This centuries -old tradition combines deep spirituality with precise procedural rules.

After the death or resignation of a Pope, the cardinals from all over the world gather to the “General Congregations” in the Vatican. The conclave begins between 15 and 20 days after the vacancy, in the current case in early May. Before the official start, the cardinals celebrate the Holy Mass together in St. Peter’s Basilica to ask the Holy Spirit for leadership.

The cardinals entitled to vote move into the Sistine Chapel under the singing “Veni Creator Spirit”. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are entitled to vote, 137 are at the moment. After the exclamation “Extra omnes!” (“All out!”) All in addition to the cardinals entitled to vote, all leave the chapel. The doors are closed and any communication with the outside world is prohibited.

In theory, every male Catholic baptized can be chosen as the Pope, but in practice, however, a cardinal is almost always chosen. The cardinals discuss potential candidates and take into account spiritual and moral integrity, leadership qualities, theological knowledge and experience. When voting, each cardinal writes the name of his candidate on a ballot and puts it in a chalice.

A two -thirds majority of the voters present is required for a successful choice. If no candidate gets this majority, the ballot papers are burned and black smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The vote continues (four electoral groups per day) until a cardinal reaches the two -thirds majority.

If a cardinal receives the required majority, he is asked if he accepts the choice. When accepted, he chooses his papal name and is wearing the white papal clothing for the first time. The burned ballot papers now create white smoke that signals the world that a new Pope has been chosen. Shortly afterwards, the cardinal protodiacon from the Balcony of the Peters Basilica with the exclamation “Habemus Papam” announces this (“We have a Pope”). The new Pontifex then steps on the balcony and grants its first blessing “Urbi et Orbi”.

The duration of the complain varies – some only last a day, different weeks, but in recent history the process typically takes a few days. If this is the case again, a new Pope should appear in mid -May.