What Comes Next? The Selection of a New Pope

With the conclusion of the nine days of mourning following the passing of the pope, the Catholic Church now turns to the sacred process of selecting his successor. This is a time of both tradition and prayer, as the College of Cardinals gathers to discern and elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Overview of the Papal Conclave process:
The election of a new pope takes place in a highly structured and prayerful process known as the conclave. Here’s how it unfolds:

• Gathering of the Cardinals – Cardinals from around the world travel to Vatican City to participate in general congregations—discussions about the church’s needs and the qualities needed in the next pope.
• Entering the conclave – The cardinals are sworn to secrecy and sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel, where they will cast their votes in strict confidentiality.
• Casting votes – Voting occurs twice each morning and twice each afternoon. A two-thirds majority is required for a new pope to be elected.
• White smoke signals a new pope – After each vote, ballots are burned. Black smoke indicates no decision has been made, while white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen.
• Announcement of the new pope – Once elected, the new pope accepts the role and chooses a papal name. Shortly after, the Habemus Papam (“We have a pope”) announcement is made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Who are the Cardinals?
As of February 2025, the College of Cardinals comprises 252 members, with 138 serving as cardinal electors eligible to participate in a papal conclave. For more detailed information on the cardinals, you can visit the Vatican’s website.

Did you know there are 17 U.S. cardinals?
(American-born, were ordained or have served in the United States)

• Five cardinals currently lead U.S. Archdioceses
  • Cardinal Blase J. Cupich - Chicago
  • Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo - Galveston-Houston (Emeritus)
  • Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan - New York
  • Cardinal Robert W. McElroy - Washington 
  • Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, CSsR - Newark
• Three U.S. cardinals currently serve in another capacity
  • Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell - Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life
  • Cardinal James M. Harvey - Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls
  • Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A. - Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops
    
    
• Nine U.S. cardinals are retired:
  • Cardinal Raymond L. Burke - Patron of the Order of Malta
  • Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory - Archbishop Emeritus of Washington
  • Cardinal Roger M. Mahony - Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles
  • Cardinal Adam J. Maida - Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit
  • Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien - Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore
  • Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley -Archbishop Emeritus of Boston
  • Cardinal Justin F. Rigali - Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia
  • Cardinal James F. Stafford - Major Penitentiary Emeritus
  • Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl - Archbishop Emeritus of Washington

Information on U.S. cardinals was retrieved from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). For the most up-to-date details, visit USCCB’s website.

Detailed timeline of events:

1. Nine Days of Mourning (Novendiales)

• Following the passing of the pope, a period of mourning is observed.
• During these nine days, Masses and prayers are offered for the repose of the late pope’s soul.
• The College of Cardinals meets informally to discuss the upcoming conclave.

2. General Congregations of the Cardinals

• All cardinals (those eligible and ineligible to vote) gather in Vatican City for a series of meetings known as the General Congregations.
• These meetings focus on assessing the state of the church and preparing for the conclave.
• The official date for the conclave is set by the Dean of the College of Cardinals.

3. Conclave Begins

• The voting cardinals (those under the age of 80) process into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the hymn Veni, Creator Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit).
• They take an oath of secrecy and are then sequestered for the voting process.
• Each round of voting includes discussion, prayer and discernment.

4. Election of the New Pope

• Voting takes place twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.
• If no pope is elected after three days, a break is taken for prayer and reflection before voting resumes.
• Once a cardinal receives a two-thirds majority vote, he is asked if he accepts the papacy.
• If he accepts, he selects a new papal name, symbolizing his vision for the Catholic Church.

5. White Smoke and the Announcement

• The ballots are burned, and white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling that a new pope has been chosen.
• Shortly after, the Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and proclaims: Habemus Papam! ("We have a pope!")
• The newly elected pope then makes his first appearance and imparts his Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) blessing.

What can we do during this time?
As we await the selection of the next pope, we invite all the faithful to join in prayer:

• Offer a Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the church
• Pray for the College of Cardinals, that they may be guided by the Holy Spirit in their decision.
• Pray for the church, that this time of transition strengthens our unity in Christ.
• Pray for the new pope, that he may lead with wisdom, humility and faith.

Let us entrust this process to God’s will, asking for his grace and guidance in choosing the next shepherd of his church.

For official updates and more details, visit:
Vatican News
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB