Who Chooses the New Pope
The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals, the Church's senior-ranking clergy. Only cardinals under the age of 80 may vote in a papal conclave, as defined by current Church law.
How the Papal Conclave Works
A conclave is a private gathering of cardinal-electors held in the Vatican. They vote by secret ballot, and a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected. The process continues until a pope is chosen.
What Happens After Election
Once elected, the cardinal takes the papal name, receives the pallium, and appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican publishes official updates through its news portal.
Vatican News provides live coverage and official statements throughout the election process.
