World

How a new pope will be elected after Francis’ death: process and traditions

The death of Pope Francis marks the beginning of the period of sede vacante, when the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new pontiff. "Komersant Ukrainian" has gathered information on how the process of electing a new pope will take place, what traditions and rules govern the conclave, and what awaits the Catholic Church in the coming weeks.

What happens after the death of the Pope

After the death of the Pope, the Vatican enters the period of sede vacante, when the management of the Church is transferred to the College of Cardinals. Traditionally, this period lasts 15-20 days, during which the cardinals prepare for a conclave – a secret vote to elect a new pope. Here are the main stages:

Official confirmation of the Pope’s death
The cardinal-camerlengo, currently Kevin Farrell, officially confirms the pope’s death by reciting his baptismal name three times (in Francis’ case, Jorge Mario Bergoglio).

This is followed by a mourning ceremony known as novemdiales. During it:

• prayers are held for the soul of the deceased pope;
• The Pope lies in an open coffin for farewell;
• all church affairs are transferred to the control of the Camerlengo, the interim administrator of the Vatican.

Funeral arrangements

The funeral of Pope Francis will take place 4-6 days after his death, most likely in St. Peter’s Square. At Francis’s request, he will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, which is a deviation from the tradition of burial in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Preparations for the conclave

Cardinals from all over the world are gathering in the Vatican for the so-called general congregations, meetings to discuss the needs of the Church and the challenges the new pope will face. These meetings also include organizational matters, such as preparing the Sistine Chapel for the vote.

How the conclave works

The conclave is one of the most mysterious and ancient rituals of the Catholic Church, dating back to the 13th century. It is governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici gregis (1996), issued by Pope John Paul II and amended by Benedict XVI. Here is how the process works:

1. Who participates in the conclave

Cardinal-electors under the age of 80 participate in the conclave. As of April 2025, there are 135 such cardinals out of a total of 252. Most of them (about 80%) were appointed by Pope Francis, which may influence the choice of his successor.

Cardinals over the age of 80 can be elected by the Pope, but do not have the right to vote. Theoretically, any baptized male Catholic can become Pope, but since 1378, only cardinals have been elected.

2. Venue

The conclave is held in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican, where cardinals are isolated from the outside world. Before the start, the room is checked for listening devices to ensure complete secrecy. The cardinals take an oath of secrecy, the violation of which is punishable by excommunication.

3. The voting process

• Voting takes place four times a day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
• To be elected pope, a candidate must receive two-thirds of the votes (approximately 90 votes out of 135 electors).
• After each vote, the ballots are burned. If the pope is not elected, chemicals are added to create black smoke, which signals a tie. When the pope is elected, the smoke turns white, a sign to the world that a new pontiff has been elected.
• The process continues until the required majority is reached, usually from a few days to a week. The longest period between popes lasted two years (1268-1271), but modern conclaves rarely last more than a few days.

4. Announcement of the new pope

When a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote, the Dean of the College of Cardinals (now Giovanni Battista Re) asks if he accepts the election. If he does, the new pope chooses a papal name and puts on the papal vestments. Then the Cardinal Protodeacon (now Dominic Mamberi) announces from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: Habemus Papam! The new Pope blesses the faithful and the world.

Traditions that have been preserved for centuries

The procedure of the Conclave is strictly secret and symbolic:

• All participants take a vow of silence;
• The doors of the chapel are closed during the voting;
• The Pope chooses a new name for himself, symbolizing his mission.

Why is this important for the world?

The election of a new pope is important not only for Catholics but also for the global community.

The Pope is not only a spiritual leader for 1.4 billion Catholics, but also the head of the Vatican state, which has diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries. His position influences issues of peace, climate change, migration, and interreligious dialogue.

In times of geopolitical instability, such as the wars in Ukraine or the Middle East, the choice of a new pope can determine the direction of the Catholic Church for decades to come.