Live: Procession of the cardinals to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and entry into the conclave

This Wednesday, the conclave begins, where 133 cardinals will elect Pope Francis's successor.

Information in development.

What you need to know about the conclave to elect the next pope

One hundred and thirty-three cardinals will gather behind the medieval walls of the Vatican for the start of the conclave on Wednesday that will determine Pope Francis's successor.

Here are some things you should know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion followers worldwide.

Why is the conclave being held now?

The conclave was convened after Francis's death on April 21, at the age of 88. There was a time lag between his death and the conclave to celebrate the funeral and burial, as well as for a period of mourning. It was also necessary to allow time for the cardinals to arrive in Rome from all corners of the world and to get to know each other before entering the conclave, an ancient ritual steeped in mystery and tradition.

What happens in a conclave?

The cardinals are isolated from the world in the Vatican, between their residences and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secret—and in silence—beneath Michelangelo's famous fresco of "The Creation of Adam," which occupies the ceiling of the hall, and his monumental "Last Judgment."

The process—fictionalized in the 2024 political thriller "Conclave"—is said to be guided by the Holy Spirit and is designed to be both contemplative and free from outside interference.

To be on the safe side, the Holy See is asking the cardinals to hand over their cell phones for the duration of the conclave and is disabling mobile coverage in the Vatican. It also plans to use signal jammers around the Sistine Chapel and the Domus Santa Marta hotel and the adjacent residence where the cardinals will be staying, to prevent surveillance and communication with the outside world.

White or black smoke signals?

Electors cast their votes on paper ballots, and voting continues until one candidate obtains a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes. After every two rounds of voting, the cards are burned in a special oven: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke means a new pope has been elected.

Electors must be under 80 years old and are more diverse, in terms of geographical origin, than ever before. They represent the growing presence of Catholicism in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as its traditional power base in Europe.

How long does it last?

The longest conclave in history lasted almost three years, but it's reasonable to assume this one will be much, much shorter.

The cardinals indicated this week that they expect a short conclave, although several rounds of voting will likely be necessary. It begins Wednesday afternoon, and the cardinals are expected to take the first ballot then, although it is not mandatory.

For most of the last century, it took between three and eight ballots to find a pope. John Paul I—who ruled the Church for 33 days in 1978—was elected on the third ballot. It took eight ballots to find a successor, Saint John Paul II. Francis emerged on the fifth ballot in 2013.

Who are the candidates?

There are no official candidates for the papacy, but some cardinals are considered "papable," meaning they meet the necessary qualifications to assume the office.

Since St. John Paul II broke Italy's hold on the papacy in 1978, the options have expanded considerably, and cardinals from faraway countries are now considered eligible to become pontiff. The last three popes have been from Poland (John Paul II), Germany (Benedict XVI), and Argentina (Francis).

Of the 133 cardinals expected to vote in the conclave, 108 were appointed by Francis. They may feel committed to continuing his legacy, although the late pontiff did not choose the prelates based on ideology, but rather on their pastoral priorities and geographic diversity.

Beyond that, the cardinals will consider practical issues such as age. Choosing someone relatively young—say, around 60—could result in a papacy lasting 20 years or more.

Choosing a pope from places where the Church is growing—Asia or Africa—could cause further turmoil in the predominantly Italian Vatican bureaucracy, which still resents the Argentine Jesuit's independent style.

What happens after the new pope is elected?

Once a candidate receives the necessary votes and accepts, he or she chooses the name he or she will bear as pontiff and enters the "Hall of Tears"—named for the emotional weight of the responsibility ahead—to don the papal vestments.

Minutes later, he is presented to the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with the Latin proclamation: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam!", or "I announce to you great joy: We have a pope!"

His baptismal name is revealed below, in Latin, followed by his chosen papal name.

A line that goes back to Saint Peter and Jesus

Each new pope is considered a successor to Saint Peter, the apostle whom Catholics believe was appointed by Jesus as the head of the Church. In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Jesus tells him, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church," a verse that forms the biblical basis for the papacy.

According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of Emperor Nero, around 64 AD, during the height of the persecution of Christians. He is said to have been crucified upside down at his own request, because he considered himself unworthy of dying in the same manner as Jesus.

St. Peter's Basilica stands over what is believed to be his tomb.

Why is the Pope important beyond the Catholic Church?

Although the pope leads a religious institution, his influence extends far beyond. John Paul II played a pivotal role in supporting the Solidarity movement in his native Poland and in encouraging resistance to Soviet domination in Eastern Europe. Many credit his moral leadership with helping to hasten the end of the Cold War.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, became a leading voice on global issues, from climate change to migration to economic inequality. He called for compassion for refugees, warned of the dangers of nationalism, and urged action to protect the planet—positions that transcended the walls of the Holy See and, at times, put him at odds with political leaders.

A name that marks the direction of the papacy

The first sign of the new pope's priorities will be in the name he chooses.

A Francis II might signal the adoption of Francis's legacy of prioritizing the poor and marginalized, while a Pius would hint at a traditionalist restoration.

From John Paul to Benedict XVI to Francis, each name has carried historical weight and theological significance. For the 267th pope, this will be his first address to the world.

Live: Procession of the cardinals to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and entry into the conclave