How is the Pope Chosen? This Expert Guide Explains It All
It's certainly a historic time in Rome, particularly as this is happening during the Jubilee.
With the Pope’s funeral concluded and the world watching Rome during the sacred Jubilee year, a centuries-old process quietly moves into motion. But how exactly is a new Pope chosen? We asked Krista, Insight Vacations’ Senior Travel Experiences Manager for Italy (and a former Travel Director with over 20 years of experience), to walk us through the key steps of this rare and historic event.
Travel Experiences Manager Krista has over 20 years of experience of working in Italy.
There’s an ATM in the Vatican City where the instructions are written in Latin.
Hi Krista. Now the Pope’s funeral has taken place, what happens next?
“After a Pope’s funeral, the focus shifts to preparing for the conclave—the formal process through which a new Pope is elected,” explains Krista. “The Vatican enters a period known as sede vacante (Latin for ‘vacant seat’), during which the papal seat is officially empty. Daily governance of the Church is handled by the College of Cardinals, but no major decisions or reforms can be made until a new Pope is chosen.”
Is the process of choosing a new Pope underway currently?
“Yes, once the Pope’s funeral is complete, preparations for the conclave begin almost immediately. The cardinals from around the world are called to Rome if they aren’t already there, and they begin informal discussions before the conclave formally starts. While the conclave itself may not have started just yet, the process is indeed underway.”
Who makes the decision on who becomes the new Pope?
“The new Pope is chosen by the College of Cardinals. Specifically, cardinals who are under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. They gather in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City for a series of secret ballots until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority.
“The cardinals are housed within Vatican City for the duration of the conclave and are cut off from external communication — including media, phone calls, and even email — to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of the process. This tradition ensures that the election is carried out without outside influence, maintaining focus on prayer, reflection, and discernment.
“The voting itself can take several rounds across multiple days. Between ballots, cardinals may engage in discussion and consideration, but formal campaigning is strictly prohibited. The process is designed to be both deeply spiritual and highly structured — a unique balance of ancient ritual and solemn responsibility.”
Once the new Pope has been chosen, how long can we expect to wait for an announcement?
“The announcement is made almost immediately after the successful vote. Once a candidate has been elected and has accepted, the famous white smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel chimney, and shortly after, the senior Cardinal Deacon steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to declare: Habemus Papam — We have a Pope.”
What’s the significance of the smoke that’s released when a new Pope is chosen?
“The smoke signals the outcome of the voting to the world:
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Black smoke means no decision has been reached.
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White smoke means a new Pope has been elected.
This tradition dates back centuries and is one of the most iconic aspects of the papal election process.
During the conclave, the cardinals vote up to four times per day — two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The smoke is released after each voting session, so you’ll typically see smoke twice a day:
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Once in the late morning (around 11:30 AM Rome time)
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Once in the early evening (around 6:30 PM Rome time)
Each time the ballots are burned, the color of the smoke signals the outcome:
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Black smoke = No Pope elected
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White smoke = A new Pope has been elected
So during the conclave, you can expect smoke to appear twice daily until a decision is reached. Once white smoke appears, it’s followed shortly by the public announcement of the new Pope.”
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“Very soon after the white smoke, typically within an hour or two, the newly elected Pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the public for the first time and offer the Urbi et Orbi blessing (to the city and the world). This moment is both symbolic and emotional, often drawing thousands of people to the square and millions more watching around the world.”
The Vatican City consumes the most wine out of any country in the world, per capita.
Through gazing up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling or walking through the colonnades of St. Peter’s Square, Rome has a way of making history feel present. And during the election of a new Pope — especially in a Jubilee year — that presence is nothing short of profound.
Ready to explore the heart of the Vatican and beyond? Discover Italy with us — and experience the stories behind the stones with the experts who know them best.
About Jason Brasier
I'm Jay – born in Italy, raised in South London. Having French sisters and Hungarian ancestors, I've always been fascinated with the world and its cultures, and I carry this curiosity into my writing for Insightful. My favourite destinations I've traveled to so far have been Italy, Peru, France and Brazil.
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