The conclave is like a mix of solemn prayer, ancient ritual, and absolute seriousness. It’s designed to cut off worldly influence completely, so the cardinals can focus on choosing the man they believe God wants as the next Pope.
1. Preparation
- After a Pope dies or resigns, cardinals around the world gather in Rome.
- They meet several times beforehand (General Congregations) to talk about the Church’s needs and prepare for the election.
- Only cardinals under 80 years old are allowed to vote.
- When everything is ready, they move into the Domus Sanctae Marthae (a Vatican guesthouse) and the Sistine Chapel for the conclave.
2. Entering the Conclave
- A special Mass called “Pro Eligendo Pontifice” (For the Election of a Pope) is celebrated.
- After Mass, they process into the Sistine Chapel chanting “Veni Creator Spiritus” (Come, Holy Spirit).
- Once inside, a Vatican official says “Extra omnes!” (Everyone out!), and the doors are locked.
- Only the cardinals and a few essential staff (sworn to secrecy) are left.
3. Voting
- Each day usually has two rounds of voting in the morning and two in the afternoon.
- The cardinals pray silently, asking God for guidance.
- They write a name on a ballot, fold it, and approach the altar one by one.
- They swear an oath (“I call Christ as my witness that I am voting for the one before God I think should be elected”) and place the ballot in a special urn.
- After all votes are cast:
- They’re counted.
- The votes are read aloud and recorded.
- To win, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority.
4. Burning the Ballots
- After each vote, the ballots are burned in a special stove:
- Chemicals are added to produce black smoke (if no election) or white smoke (if a new Pope is chosen).
- The world watches the chimney on the Sistine Chapel for the signal.
5. Acceptance
- When someone gets enough votes, he is asked:
“Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
- If he says yes, he chooses his papal name.
6. Announcement
- The new Pope is dressed immediately in papal vestments prepared in three sizes (since they don’t know beforehand who will be elected).
- He goes to a small room called the Room of Tears (because many break down from the weight of the responsibility).
- Then he steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
- The Cardinal Protodeacon announces:
“Habemus Papam!” (“We have a Pope!”)
- The new Pope then appears and gives his first blessing, called the Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”).
Important Things Inside the Conclave:
- Absolute secrecy is demanded — breaking it can mean automatic excommunication.
- No phones, no newspapers, no communication with the outside.
- Cardinals can’t campaign for themselves or promise anything in exchange for votes (that would be simony and is forbidden).
- They rely heavily on prayer, silence, and the belief that the Holy Spirit will guide them.
There are some really fascinating true stories and legends from papal conclaves
1. Conclave “Lockdowns” Were Invented Because of Delay
- In 1268, after Pope Clement IV died, the cardinals took almost 3 years to elect a new pope because they kept arguing.
- The people of Viterbo (the town where they met) got so fed up that they:
- Locked the cardinals inside the palace.
- Cut their food down to bread and water.
- Even removed the roof of the building to make them uncomfortable!
- After that, conclaves became much stricter and faster: you’re locked in until you decide.
2. A Future Pope Tried to Refuse
- In 1903, Cardinal Giuseppe Sarto (who would become Pope Pius X) wept when he realized he was about to be elected.
- He begged the cardinals not to vote for him — he felt unworthy.
- After he was elected, he cried so much in the Room of Tears that attendants had to console him before he could appear on the balcony.
3. Political Influence Used to Be Huge
- In earlier centuries, powerful Catholic nations like France, Spain, and Austria could exercise a right called a veto (jus exclusivae).
- They could block certain candidates they didn’t like.
- In that 1903 conclave, Austria actually tried to veto a candidate (Cardinal Rampolla) — but the cardinals rejected the interference and chose Sarto (Pius X) instead.
- Afterward, Pius X banned all vetoes forever.
4. Technology and Conclave Security
- In modern times, they use electronic jammers inside the Sistine Chapel to prevent hacking or leaks.
- Before 2023, Vatican technicians even swept the chapel for bugs and hidden microphones.
- Staff members (called “support personnel”) like doctors, cooks, and security guards are sworn under threat of excommunication to keep everything secret.
5. A Close Call for an American Pope
- In the 1958 conclave, Cardinal Francis Spellman of New York was rumored to have received some votes.
- Though it never became serious, it showed how global the Church had become — today, non-European popes are very possible (and we’ve now had one: Pope Francis from Argentina).
6. The “Black Pope” Urban Legend
- Some conspiracy theorists talk about a “Black Pope” being elected secretly — but that’s pure myth.
- In reality, “Black Pope” is just a nickname for the head of the Jesuits because of their black robes — nothing to do with a secret Pope.
The symbols, oaths, and secret rituals inside the papal conclave are absolutely fascinating. It feels like you’re stepping into the Middle Ages (but it’s real and still happening today!).
Here’s what happens inside once they are locked in:
1. The Solemn Oath
- Before anything happens, each cardinal stands up one by one in front of everyone.
- With his hand on the Gospels, he swears:
“I promise and vow to observe absolute and perpetual secrecy regall matters related to the election of the Supreme Pontiff… andsupport or favor any outside interference.”
- This is serious.
- Breaking this oath = automatic excommunication.
2. Ritual Objects
- The urns used for voting are special:
- They are designed to protect secrecy and are often beautifully made.
- Today they use three urns: one for casting votes, one for collecting votes from sick cardinals, and one for counting.
- Special ballots:
- Each cardinal’s ballot is carefully folded and marked, but without obvious signatures.
- There’s a way to track votes if needed to verify, but it’s highly controlled.
3. The Sealing of the Sistine Chapel
- Once voting starts, they lock the Sistine Chapel.
- Guards outside and Swiss Guards at key points ensure no one gets in or out.
- All windows are covered.
- Surveillance equipment is jammed or monitored.
- They even cover statues and images that might “distract” the cardinals during voting.
4. The “Extra Omnes” Moment
- A Master of Ceremonies stands at the doorway and cries out loudly:
“Extra omnes!” (Everybody out!)
- This clears out everyone who isn’t supposed to be there (like journalists, helpers, even some cardinals’ aides).
- Then the doors are bolted shut.
5. The Special Smoke Signals
- They prepare two types of chemical canisters:
- Black smoke (fumata nera): votes failed — no pope yet.
- White smoke (fumata bianca): successful election — new pope!
- In recent conclaves, they also ring the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica to make it crystal clear it’s white smoke (because before, sometimes the smoke looked gray and confused everyone!).
6. The Room of Tears
- When someone is elected, he is led to a small room next to the Sistine Chapel called the Room of Tears.
- It’s called that because almost every new Pope bursts into tears, overwhelmed by the burden now on him.
- Inside the room are ready-made white papal garments in different sizes (small, medium, large — they don’t know who will be elected).
7. Immediate Transformation
- The new Pope puts on the papal cassock.
- He is greeted by the cardinals with a special act of homage.
- Then he is led out to the balcony for the historic “Habemus Papam” announcement.
Bonus Symbol: “Destroying the Fisherman’s Ring”
- After a Pope dies, his special ring — the Fisherman’s Ring (a symbol of his authority) — is ceremonially smashed with a silver hammer.
- This shows that his reign has truly ended and prevents forgery.
Here’s how the inside of the Sistine Chapel is specially arranged during a conclave — it’s very organized, almost like a secret voting hall mixed with a chapel.
Basic Layout:
- Long rows of chairs and desks:
- Lined along the walls for the cardinals to sit, pray, and write their ballots.
- Each cardinal has a small writing desk and chair with their name.
- Altar at the front:
- Where the urns are placed.
- The cardinals walk up here, ballot in hand, to cast their vote.
- The “Room of Tears”:
- A small private chamber off to the side — this is where the new Pope goes after being elected to dress.
- Voting Urns:
- Three special urns are placed near the altar:
- One for collecting ballots.
- One for ballots from sick cardinals (brought separately).
- One for counting.
- Three special urns are placed near the altar:
- Stove and Chimney:
- In the corner or side: a stove is installed to burn ballots.
- A special chimney pipe runs outside for the smoke signal.
- Swiss Guards and Security:
- Standing outside the Sistine Chapel to guard the entrance.
- Inside: absolute silence except during voting.
Visual Diagram (Simple View):
————————————————-
| Chairs and desks along the wall (Cardinals’ seats) |
| |
| [Desk] [Desk] [Desk] … [Desk] [Desk] |
| |
| Altar |
| [Voting Urns Here] |
| |
| (Stove + Chimney for Smoke) |
| |
| (Hidden Door to Room of Tears) |
————————————————-
Some Extra Details:
- No paintings are covered — the famous Michelangelo frescoes (like The Last Judgment) are visible.
- But distractions are minimized: all other decoration is subtle, the atmosphere is focused on prayer and seriousness.
- Lighting is natural and soft — no harsh lights.
