Explainer: Behind the locked doors of the Vatican - How the conclave will elect the next pope

Key topics:What is the conclave? A centuries-old, secretive process where cardinals elect the next pope inside the Sistine Chapel.How does it work? 133 cardinal electors vote up to four times a day until one receives a two-thirds majority.What’s at stake? The future direction of the Catholic Church, from doctrine to diplomacy, hangs in the balance.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..By Patrick KiddA moment of profound consequence beckons behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel as the 2025 papal conclave is about to commence. From today (Wednesday, 7 May), 133 cardinals from around the world will begin the process of electing a new pope, the 267th in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, following the death of Pope Francis in April.Here's what's happening now, and how the centuries-old process unfolds.What is the papal conclave?The conclave is the formal gathering of cardinal electors, senior members of the clergy under the age of 80, to elect a new pope. The term "conclave" comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning "with a key," referencing the practice of locking the cardinals away until a decision is reached. It is one of the most secretive and solemn procedures in the Catholic Church.This year, 133 cardinal electors from 70 countries are participating, up from 115 during the last conclave in 2013. The number reflects Pope Francis's expansion of the College of Cardinals during his papacy, increasing geographical and ideological diversity, but also the complexity of reaching consensus. Our partners at Bloomberg report that 23 of the electors are from Asia, 21 from Central and South America, 18 from Africa, and over 50 from Europe, with Italy providing the largest national contingent. Ten cardinals are from the United States..The ritual begins: From "Extra omnes" to total isolationThe conclave begins today with the dramatic command, "Extra omnes!" Latin for "everyone out." The instruction is called out by the master of pontifical liturgical celebrations, signalling all non-essential personnel to leave the Sistine Chapel. The doors are then locked, and the cardinal electors are cut off from the outside world.All communication devices are surrendered, the chapel is swept for bugs, and jamming equipment is activated. The aim is to protect the vote's spiritual and political independence.Each cardinal swears an oath of secrecy. According to The Guardian, there will be no debate or speeches during the balloting itself, only prayer, reflection, and voting.How the voting worksThe process starts with a single ballot on day one (today), followed by four rounds of voting each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each cardinal writes a name on a ballot paper bearing the words Eligo in summum pontificem ("I elect as supreme pontiff"), folds it, and deposits it into a bronze urn.Votes are counted by three scrutineers chosen by lot. Ballots from any ill cardinals who remain in their rooms are collected by designated infirmari. After tallying, the papers are pierced through the word eligo, threaded into a bundle, and burned.If no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority, the smoke from the chapel chimney turns black. Once consensus is reached, white smoke billows into the Roman sky, accompanied by the ringing of bells, signalling habemus papam: we have a pope.According to the Holy See's press office, the Vatican uses a precise chemical formula to ensure the colours are unmistakable: a mix of potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin for white smoke and potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur for black..What happens after a pope is chosen?Once elected, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks the new pope if he accepts his election. If he says yes, he chooses his papal name and changes into his white cassock in the nearby Room of Tears, named for the overwhelming emotion often felt at that moment.Then, the pope-elect steps onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to deliver his first blessing to the world.What makes this conclave different?While the conclave is steeped in tradition, this one is unique due to the diversity and number of electors, and the unresolved tensions between progressive and conservative factions in the Church.The cardinal electors are confronting weighty questions on issues such as clerical sexual abuse, LGBTQ+ inclusion, divorce and remarriage, and the Church's stance in global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. As Bloomberg notes, geopolitics has shaped pre-conclave discussions, with cardinals lamenting stalled peace efforts.Who are the contenders?Our partners at Bloomberg outlined several high-profile figures who have emerged as frontrunners:Pietro Parolin (Italy): Vatican Secretary of State, known for his diplomatic skill and seen as a continuity candidate.Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Advocates for a more inclusive Church, especially in Asia.Peter Turkson (Ghana): Progressive voice on social justice; would be the first African pope.Raymond Leo Burke (USA): Outspoken conservative and critic of Pope Francis.Matteo Zuppi (Italy): Known for peace-building, particularly in Ukraine.Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy): Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.Peter Erdo (Hungary): Conservative, seen as a long shot..While Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York has gained headlines, notably after former U.S. President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope, Vatican insiders do not consider him a serious contender..How long will it take?History suggests the conclave could last anywhere from a day to several weeks. The 2013 conclave that elected Francis lasted two days and five ballots. If no pope is chosen after 13 days, the process switches to a runoff between the two leading candidates, but still requires a two-thirds majority.So while the world watches the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, the outcome remains uncertain, a mix of faith, politics, and personal conscience. When white smoke finally rises and Habemus Papam is declared, it will mark the end of one era and the beginning of another.

Explainer: Behind the locked doors of the Vatican - How the conclave will elect the next pope

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