Cardinals from around the world will meet in the Sistine Chapel on 7 May to elect a new leader of the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April.

The conclave, which da

The conclave, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is a momentous and secretive event in which cardinals are sworn to lifetime secrecy. The gathering will begin on 7 May and continue until a new pope is elected.

Conclave details

The election process typically lasts a few days, although the longest conclave on record took nearly three years to appoint Pope Gregory X in the 13th century. Pope Francis and his predecessor, Benedict XVI, were both elected after just two days of voting.

Cardinals will cast their ballots in the Sistine Chapel, located in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. The chapel’s iconic frescoes, painted by Michelangelo, provide a historic backdrop for the voting.

Who participates?

A total of 252 cardinals were called back to Rome following Pope Francis’s death, with 224 attending his funeral on April 29. Only 135 cardinals, however, are eligible to vote, as those over 80 are not permitted to participate.

About 80 percent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Pope Francis. The electors represent regions from around the world, with Europe having the largest voting bloc, comprising 53 cardinals. There are 27 cardinals from Asia and Oceania, 21 from South and Central America, 16 from North America, and 18 from Africa.

Italy leads the way with 17 electors, followed by the United States with 10, Brazil with seven, and France with five.

Secrecy and Security

The word "conclave" comes from the Latin "with key," referring to the lockdown of cardinals at the Vatican during the election. The deliberations are held in strict secrecy, with violations resulting in instant excommunication.

Cardinals are prohibited from using smartphones, accessing the internet, reading newspapers, or watching TV. Any contact with the outside world is banned, unless for "grave and urgent reasons" approved by a panel of four peers.

While only cardinal electors are allowed to vote, others, such as clerical assistants and housekeeping staff, may enter at designated times.

Voting process

Cardinals hold four ballots a day — two in the morning and two in the afternoon — until a candidate receives two-thirds of the votes. If no one is elected, the ballots are burned in a stove, and black smoke is released. If a new pope is chosen, white smoke signals the decision.

After three days of voting without a decision, cardinals take a break for a day of prayer and discussions.

While any Catholic male can be elected pope, it is traditionally one of the cardinals. Sick cardinals are allowed to vote from their beds.

After the election

Once a candidate wins, the Dean of Cardinals asks if he accepts the papacy. If he agrees, he chooses a papal name and retires to the Room of Tears to don the papal garments, which have been prepared in advance.

The new pope then steps onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where a senior cardinal announces, "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope").