Vatican Succession After Pope Francis: How the Next Pope Is Chosen
Thousands around the globe are in mourning following the breaking news of Pope Francis' passing on Monday, April 21. Pope Francis returned to the Vatican in late March after spending several weeks at Rome's Gemelli Hospital for a bronchitis diagnosis that later developed into a severe case of pneumonia.
The Pope remained frail after his return, making his final public appearance on Easter Sunday. Church officials announced his death the following morning, leaving many supporters in shock and raising the inevitable question of who his successor will be.
As the 266th Pope is laid to rest, the papal enclave will begin the ancient Roman Catholic process to elect a new pope.
Pope's Death Triggers a Secretive Vatican Process
After a pope dies, a nine-day mourning period called novemdiales begins. Funeral rites and masses are conducted, and prayers are offered for the deceased. The funeral is typically held 4-6 days after the Pope's death in St. Peter's Square, allowing large numbers of mourners to come and pay their respects.
The Papal Conclave begins no earlier than 16 days and no later than 21 days after the demise of the current Pope.
The Role of the College of Cardinals in Choosing a New Pope
When a pope passes, the camerlengo—a cardinal who serves as chamberlain—officially confirms the death and oversees the Vatican until a new pope is elected. The current camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the first American to hold the role.
The College of Cardinals is responsible for electing the next leader of the Catholic Church. The cardinals will gather in the Vatican for discussions and deliberations concerning the global needs and challenges of the Catholic Church before entering the conclave to vote on a new leader. Discussions often revolve around:
Theological issues
Pastoral priorities
Political concerns
Requirements to Vote
Only cardinals under 80 are eligible to participate in the voting process. Of the 252 cardinals, 135 are eligible to participate in the conclave.
Requirements to Become Pope
To be considered for the papacy, candidates must be:
Male
Baptized Catholic
Member of the Catholic College of Cardinals
Cardinals often hold the title of Bishop as well. In the rare case that a non-bishop is chosen, he must be ordained as a bishop before becoming Pope.
Papal Conclave Starts with Strict Oaths of Secrecy
The term conclave is defined as a secret meeting or assembly derived from the Latin word conclavium, meaning 'a room that can be locked.' Ancient Roman Catholic traditions remain at large and highly literal concerning the mysterious, secretive, and intensely dramatic process of selecting a new pope.
The conclave, governed by centuries of papal rules, begins with strict secrecy. Each cardinal-elector takes a Latin oath of confidentiality under threat of excommunication, as mandated by Pope John Paul II.
Once assembled, the cardinals attend a mass led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, then process to the Sistine Chapel while singing hymns invoking the Holy Spirit.
Inside, they swear the secrecy oath with hands touching the Holy Gospels. At the command "Extra omnes"—Latin for "everyone out"—all non-electors leave, and the chapel is sealed. From then on, no communication is allowed until a pope is chosen.
The Papal Ballot Process and Smoke Tradition
Voting in the conclave begins with one round on the first evening, usually to gauge preferences rather than elect a pope. The next day, cardinals vote twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.
After each vote, ballots are pierced and bundled. The ballots are burned in the Sistine Chapel stove if no candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Chemical additives produce black smoke (no result) or white smoke (a pope has been chosen). The tradition once relied on burning straw, but chemicals now ensure clear signals.
Cardinals continue voting, praying, and reflecting until a new pope is elected.
How Long Does It Take to Elect a New Pope?
After the death of a pope, a new leader of the Catholic Church is typically announced within 15-20 days. As for Papal Conclave, the voting process can last hours to days. However, all conclaves since the 1900s have lasted no more than four days. For example, Pope Francis was elected on the second day of the conclave.
Once a vote is successful, the winning Cardinal is asked two questions:
Do you accept your election as Pope?
What name do you choose?
Before Pope Francis' election, he was known as Father Jorge. Once elected as the 266th pope, he selected Francis as his new name to honor St. Francis of Assisi.
Once the decision is finalized, documentation is filed, and the new Pope is taken to be fitted with papal attire. Soon after, the senior cardinal deacon will announce from the balcony that looks over St. Peter's Square, Habemus Papam! — "We have a pope!"
The time then comes for the new Pope to emerge onto the balcony and issue his first blessing.
Who Could Replace Pope Francis? Early Predictions
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, attention turns to the upcoming papal conclave and potential successors. Here's an overview of the leading candidates:
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): A close advisor to Pope Francis, Tagle is known for his compassionate approach and progressive views, making him a strong contender to continue Francis' legacy.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): As the Vatican's Secretary of State, Parolin brings extensive diplomatic experience and is seen as a moderate choice.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): Recognized for his inclusive stance on social issues, Zuppi represents a liberal perspective within the Church.
Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary): A conservative figure with strong ties to European and African Church communities, Erdő is viewed as a traditionalist candidate.
Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea): Known for his orthodox views, Sarah would be the first African Pope in centuries, appealing to those favoring a return to traditional doctrines.
The conclave, comprising 135 cardinal electors, many of whom were appointed by Francis—will convene in early May to elect the next Pope.