08-05-2025
What happens when a new Pope is elected?
A new Pope is set to be elected in the coming days following the passing of Pope Francis.
The conclave — which was excellently depicted in the 2024 film named after the process — will see the 135 Cardinals who are eligible to vote for the new pope do so until one of them receives two-thirds of the vote, a supermajority.
But while we all know the start of the announcement when smoke pours from the chimney in the Sistine Chapel, there's a lot more to it. White smoke will indicate that a pope has been elected, while a bell will ring out to confirm the election of the pope — and also to alleviate any confusion. Pic:Once a Pope is elected following the super-secret conclave and accepts the role (they are free to say no, interestingly enough), the biggest and most well known proclamation that a new Pope has been elected is when white smoke pours out of a chimney from the Sistine Chapel. If it's black, then Catholics still don't have a supreme leader.
Of course, there has been some confusion surrounding the colour of the smoke over the centuries — including when grey smoke would accidentally billow out of the chimney. To ensure that the smoke is, in fact, white, a bell is rung near St Peter's Basilica to confirm that a Pope has been elected; a process that was brought on when Pope Benedict XVI was elected.
Another fun fact is that the chimney isn't a permanent fixture; rather installed ahead of the conclave, and will be taken down once the new pope is elected. Which, we guess, makes sense given that it could be decades before the current pope dies or (rarely) resigns. The Cardinal superdeacon will then appear on the loggia of St Peter's Basilica to formally announce the election of a new pope in Latin. Pic: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images
Once the smoke is white and the bells are rung, the Senior Cardinal Deacon, or protodeacon, will appear at the loggia of St Peter's Basilica to formally announce the election of a new Pope.
He will say in Latin 'Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum, habeus Papam,' which translates to 'I announce to you a great joy, we have a pope.' He will then confirm which cardinal was elected, and will also announce the papal name that he has chosen. The Pope will then appear on the loggia to address the crowd, and impart the Urbi et Orbi blessing. Pic: FILIPPO MONTEFORTEFILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
From there, papal aides will unfurl large maroon banners, before the Pope appears on the balcony as the Pontifical Anthem plays before hundreds of thousands who will be gathered at the basilica, and the hundreds of millions of Catholics around the world.
He may then choose to address the crowd, as was done with John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, before imparting the Urbi et Orbi blessing, an apostolic blessing, or a shorter episcopal blessing.
Pope Francis' first appearance as Pope saw him lead prayers for his predecessor, Benedict XVI — who resigned as Pope — and asked the crowd to pray for himself, before imparting the blessing.
And, from there, we'll have a Pope.
