Following the death or resignation of a pope, the Catholic Church initiates the papal conclave, an ancient electoral process to choose the next pope. This involves a gathering of cardinals from around the world in Vatican City. The cardinals, typically those under the age of 80, are sequestered until a new pope is elected.
The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals cast secret ballots, and the voting continues until one candidate receives two-thirds of the votes plus one. After each ballot, the votes are burned. If no candidate is elected, black smoke is released from the chimney, signaling to the outside world that a decision has not yet been reached.
Once a pope is elected and accepts the position, white smoke is released, signifying the successful election. The new pope is then presented to the public from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Papal Conclave: How the Catholic Church Elects a New Pope
When a pope dies or resigns, the Catholic Church begins the process of selecting a new leader through a papal conclave. This ancient tradition involves a series of rituals and secret ballots. Cardinals from around the world gather in Vatican City to participate in the election. The process continues until a new pope receives the required number of votes.