Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday after his death on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Yet despite the impact of his death across the globe, the Vatican must now prepare for the election of the next leader of the Catholic Church.
The new pontiff will be chosen by a conclave, a private gathering of cardinals aged under 80 from around the world, which usually starts 15-20 days after the position becomes vacant. It will take place in the Sistine Chapel. The 135 cardinals who have a vote cannot leave the Vatican or have any communication with the outside world until the next pope is appointed.
Rounds of votes will take place until a candidate with a two-thirds majority emerges.
If the cardinals have not reached a majority by the third day, their voting cards are burned with chemical additives, with black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney to tell outsiders a decision has not been made.
The process is then paused to allow the cardinals to gather in prayer before it is resumed.
When a decision is finally made, the new pope will be asked whether he accepts the position. If so, he will change his vestments and choose a papal name.
White smoke will emerge from the chimney and the senior cardinal deacon will announce the new pope from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. The new pope will then be presented to the world and give his first blessing.
A few days later, the pope will celebrate a mass to mark the beginning of his ministry.
The time of the conclave varies depending on how divided the votes are, meaning it could take days, weeks or even years for Pope Francis’s successor to be chosen.
Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013 – the second day of the papal conclave that took place after Pope Benedict XVI resigned. However, the longest-ever conclave lasted nearly three years, between 1268 and 1271.
