Pope Francis death latest: Catholics around the world mourn first South American bishop of Rome
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How the papal conclave will elect a new pope
- The papal Conclave, depicted in the film The Two Popes, is an ancient ritual for electing the Catholic Church's leader. Cardinals under 80 gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret ballots.
- Cardinals, chosen by the pope, are bishops and Vatican officials. While there's an unofficial term for potential candidates ("Papabile"), the frontrunner doesn't always win.
- Four ballots are cast daily until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Votes are tallied, and if no one wins, the ballots are burned, producing black smoke.
- Informal discussions between voting rounds allow cardinals to influence opinions and potentially shift support.
- Upon reaching a two-thirds majority, the elected cardinal chooses a papal name and appears on the St. Peter's Basilica balcony, where the announcement "Habemus Papam" is made, followed by the new pope's blessing.