For those unfamiliar with the inner workings of a Papal Conclave, it is important to understand that it is not a forum for open debate or deliberation. The period for discussion and discernment—known as the General Congregations—takes place before the Conclave begins. Once the Conclave is formally opened, the cardinal-electors are there to vote, not to confer¹.
The Conclave begins with the celebration of the Missa pro Eligendo Pontifice, the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff². Following this, the cardinal-electors process from the Pauline Chapel through the Sala Regia into the Sistine Chapel, the site of the election itself³.
Once inside, and after the prescribed oaths are taken, the Master of Pontifical Ceremonies proclaims Extra Omnes!—“Everyone out!”—expelling all non-electors⁴. Only the voting cardinals remain, along with the papal preacher (currently Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap.), who offers a spiritual reflection. He and the Master of Ceremonies then depart, leaving the electors in solemn seclusion⁵.
On the first day, a single vote (scrutiny) is held. On subsequent days, two scrutinies take place each morning and afternoon⁶. Each scrutiny begins with the drawing of lots to select nine cardinals: three scrutineers (to count the votes), three infirmarii (to collect votes from any elector unable to be physically present), and three revisers (to verify the process)⁷.
Each elector receives a ballot inscribed with the Latin phrase Eligo in Summum Pontificem—“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”—above a space to write the chosen name. The ballots are folded lengthwise and, in order of precedence, the cardinals approach the altar individually, holding their ballots aloft⁸.
At the altar, each elector takes a solemn oath:
Testor Christum Dominum, qui me iudicaturus est, me eum eligere, quem secundum Deum iudico eligi debere.
I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that I am voting for the one whom before God I believe should be elected.
He then places the ballot on a plate, tipping it into a chalice-like receptacle⁹.
If votes have been collected from infirm electors, these are also added. The scrutineers, revisers, and infirmarii then cast their own votes¹⁰.
Once all ballots are cast, they are mixed, counted, and read aloud in sequence. If the number of ballots does not match the number of electors, the vote is declared invalid and immediately repeated¹¹. If the count is correct, the scrutineers begin tallying: the first opens and records each ballot, the second confirms, and the third records and announces the name aloud¹².
If a ballot contains two names and they are identical, it is counted once. If the names differ, the ballot is discarded. In either case, the vote itself continues¹³.
As the final votes are read, the ballots are pierced through the word eligo, threaded together, and placed aside. The results are tallied and verified by the revisers. If no candidate has reached the required two-thirds majority, the next scrutiny begins¹⁴.
After each round of voting, all ballots and notes are burned. To signal the outcome to the world, chemicals are added to the stove to produce either black smoke (no election) or white smoke (successful election)¹⁵. The white smoke is accompanied by the pealing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica¹⁶.
Should a pope be elected, the senior Cardinal-Bishop addresses the chosen cardinal:
Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?
Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?
Upon his assent (Accepto), he is asked:
Quo nomine vis vocari?
By what name do you wish to be called?
The newly elected pope then retires to the Room of Tears to don the papal garments. The Master of Ceremonies draws up an official record of the election¹⁷. A quaint custom—last observed in 2013—allows the new pope to gift his red zucchetto to the Secretary of the Conclave, symbolising a future elevation to the cardinalate¹⁸.
After receiving the homage of the cardinals, the senior Cardinal-Deacon announces the joyous news to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s:
Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!
I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!
He then declares the new pontiff’s name and chosen title. The Holy Father appears to impart his first Urbi et Orbi blessing¹⁹.
Thus, the election of a pope, though brief in its outward form, is governed by centuries of tradition, ritual, and precision—designed to ensure both solemnity and secrecy. It is easy to see why even a single scrutiny, involving 133 electors, can occupy an entire half-day²⁰.
Footnotes
¹ Universi Dominici Gregis (UDG), §52–56.
² Ibid., §11.
³ Ibid., §48.
⁴ Ibid., §51.
⁵ Ibid., §52–53.
⁶ Ibid., §64.
⁷ Ibid., §65.
⁸ Ibid., §66.
⁹ Ibid., §67.
¹⁰ Ibid., §68.
¹¹ Ibid., §69.
¹² Ibid., §70.
¹³ Ibid., §71.
¹⁴ Ibid., §72.
¹⁵ Ibid., §68 and Appendix for Chemical Procedures (as clarified by Vatican sources).
¹⁶ Vatican Press Office, Protocol for Signalling Election Outcome, 2013.
¹⁷ UDG, §75.
¹⁸ Observed in the election of Pope Francis, 2013; see L’Osservatore Romano, March 2013.
¹⁹ UDG, §89.
²⁰ UDG, §64–72.
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