The Foreign Desk Explainer 466: What actually happens during a papal conclave (as far as we know)?
May 7, 2025
Dive into the world of papal conclaves, where secrecy and tradition reign. Discover the meticulous process as cardinals gather to elect a new pope, complete with historical insights and voting rules. Unpack the unpredictability of papal elections and the potential implications of an American pope in contemporary politics. From whispers behind closed doors to the ritualistic steps of selection, this exploration reveals the fascinating dynamics of one of the most sacred assemblies in the Catholic Church.
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Secrecy Rules the Conclave
- The papal conclave is a secretive process where eligible cardinals vote to choose a new pope.
- The process is so secretive that even communication devices and outside media are blocked during it.
Fisticuffs and Ghost Pranks
- Historical conclaves sometimes featured physical fights and ghost pranks among bored cardinals.
- These colorful moments highlight the conclave's human and unpredictable side despite its solemnity.
Two-Thirds Vote Wins Papacy
- The election requires a two-thirds majority, typically 89 votes out of 133 cardinals.
- Multiple secret ballots occur daily until a candidate achieves that threshold, signaling success with white smoke.