Following the passing of Pope Francis, the world’s attention has once again turned to the Vatican and the solemn process of electing a new Pope. But how exactly does this election work? Who votes? Who is eligible to become Pope? In this article, we walk you through one of the oldest and most fascinating electoral traditions in history: the Papal Conclave.
Who votes for the Pope?
The responsibility for electing the new Pope lies with the Cardinals of the Catholic Church. More specifically:
- Only Cardinals under the age of 80 at the time of the Pope’s death (or resignation) are allowed to vote.
- These are known as the Cardinal Electors.
Where and how does the Conclave take place?
The election is held behind closed doors during the Conclave, inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.
- The Cardinal Electors take a solemn oath of secrecy.
- They remain completely isolated from the outside world until a new Pope is chosen.
- The term Conclave comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “locked with a key.”
How long does the Conclave last?
There’s no fixed timeframe. The Conclave typically begins about 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death, allowing time for funeral rites and the arrival of all electors. Voting continues until a qualified majority is reached.tics costs, no postage, reduced staffing requirements, and zero paper waste. These benefits align social equity with e-voting with sustainability goals and fiscal responsibility.
Who can be elected Pope?
Technically, any baptized male can be elected. However:
- In practice, the chosen candidate is almost always a Cardinal.
- If the person elected is not already a bishop, he must be ordained immediately.
How is the Pope elected? How does voting work?
The voting process is highly confidential and conducted using paper ballots:
- Each Cardinal writes the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot.
- The ballots are collected and counted.
- A two-thirds majority is required for a valid election.
- After each round, ballots are burned:
- Black smoke (fumata nera): no decision yet.
- White smoke (fumata bianca): a new Pope has been elected.
What happens after the election?
Once a candidate has been elected, he is asked the traditional question:
“Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
If he accepts, he chooses a papal name.
Then, the Cardinal Protodeacon steps onto the balcony to announce to the world:
“Habemus Papam” — “We have a Pope.”
The new Pope then delivers his first blessing, the Urbi et Orbi.
A centuries-old election, strictly regulated
The Papal election is governed by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, issued by Pope John Paul II and later updated by Pope Benedict XVI. It’s a prime example of how the Church balances ancient tradition with a clearly defined legal and procedural framework, even under strict secrecy.
Why the Pope’s election matters to us
In such a pivotal moment for the global Church, understanding how the Pope is elected also highlights the value of clear, trustworthy, and respected electoral procedures. Even in spiritual contexts, a secure, well-organized voting process is essential.
At Eligo, we’ve spent over 20 years making elections of all types — public, private, and institutional — simple, secure, and verifiable. We follow this key moment in Church history with deep respect and close attention.
Real-life example: Eligo and Catholic Action
Transparent and reliable elections are just as important within religious organizations. A great example is the 18th National Assembly of Catholic Action Italy, held at Fraterna Domus near Rome. This landmark event involved over 600 eligible voters and included both open and secret ballots across three rounds of voting.
Eligo provided full technical support — from setting up 10 touchscreen voting booths with tablets to managing the voting platform on-site. With a 99% turnout, the Assembly marked a new standard of transparency and efficiency for Catholic Action’s most important internal election.
Explore the full success story from the Catholic Action Assembly.
Want to learn more? See how Eligo supports online voting for religious orders and institutes with tailored in-person and remote solutions.