How Conclave Works
A total of 133 of the 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope are to enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave on May 7. Modern conclaves have lasted two to three days, although the one that elected Pope Francis lasted 24 hours. Two-thirds majority is needed for someone to be selected pope.
Make-up of Cardinal Electors
- There are 135 cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote in a papal election. By contrast, 115 cardinals took part in the conclaves in 2005 and 2013.
- The cardinals represent 72 different countries.
- The cardinals’ average age is 70 years and 5 months.
- Around 80% of the cardinals eligible to vote were created by Pope Francis.
- Europe has 37%, Asia has 18%, Latin America has 17%, Africa has 14%, North America has 10%, and Oceania has 3%.
- 33 are members of religious orders.
- Two-thirds majority is needed to elect a pope, at least 90 votes.
U.S. Cardinal Electors
List of the U.S. cardinals who are under the age of 80 and eligible to elect a new pope:
- Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, retired prefect of the Apostolic Signature.
- Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich of Chicago.
- Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, retired archbishop of Galveston-Houston.
- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York.
- Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life under Pope Francis.
- Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, retired archbishop of Washington.
- Cardinal James M. Harvey, archpriest of Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
- Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, archbishop of Washington.
- Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis.
- Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey.

Smoke Signals
The cardinals who enter the Sistine Chapel May 7 to elect a new pope use smoke signals to communicate with the outside world.
Black smoke indicates they have cast their votes without anyone garnering the necessary two-thirds majority, while white smoke confirms that the Catholic Church has a new pope.
The best time to be in St. Peter’s Square to see the smoke is just after 7 p.m. (10 a.m. PDT) the first day of the conclave, May 7; and on the following days at 10:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. PDT) and noon (3 a.m. PDT), and again at 5:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. PDT) and just after 7 p.m. (10 a.m. PDT).
Predicting when the smoke will rise from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel is not an exact science. The time needed for the cardinals’ prayers, discussions and vote counting can vary.
How Conclave Works
The funeral rites will occur according to the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificus (Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff). These were developed by Pope St. John Paul II and used at his funeral in 2005. Pope Benedict XVI modified them and they were used at his funeral in 2022. And Pope Francis simplified them further in 2024.
Make-up of Cardinal Electors
- There are 135 cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote in a papal election. By contrast, 115 cardinals took part in the conclaves in 2005 and 2013
- The cardinals represent 72 different countries.
- The cardinals’ average age is 70 years and 5 months.
- Around 80% of the cardinals eligible to vote were created by Pope Francis.
- 37% come from Europe, Asia has 18%, Latin America has 17%, Africa with 14%, North America 10%, and Oceania has 3%.
- 33 are members of religious orders.
- Two-thirds majority is needed to elect a pope, at least 90 votes.
U.S. Cardinal Electors
List of the U.S. cardinals who are under the age of 80 and eligible to elect a new pope:
- Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, retired prefect of the Apostolic Signature.
- Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich of Chicago.
- Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, retired archbishop of Galveston-Houston.
- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York.
- Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life under Pope Francis.
- Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, retired archbishop of Washington.
- Cardinal James M. Harvey, archpriest of Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
- Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, archbishop of Washington.
- Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
- Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey.
Smoke Signals
The cardinals who enter the Sistine Chapel May 7 to elect a new pope use smoke signals to communicate with the outside world.
Black smoke indicates they have cast their votes without anyone garnering the necessary two-thirds majority, while white smoke confirms that the Catholic Church has a new pope.
The best time to be in St. Peter’s Square to see the smoke is just after 7 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT) the first day of the conclave, May 7; and on the following days at 10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. EDT) and noon (6 a.m. EDT), and again at 5:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. EDT) and just after 7 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT).
Predicting when the smoke will rise from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel is not an exact science. The time needed for the cardinals’ prayers, discussions and vote counting can vary.
Special Terms Used During the Period Between Popes
Here is an explanation of some of the terms and practices related to the time between the death of Pope Francis April 21 and the election of his successor.
Sede vacante
Dioceses are also called “sees.” The Latin for “when the see is vacant” is “sede vacante.” When the vacant see is the pope’s Diocese of Rome, all major church decisions, such as new legislation or the appointment of bishops, stop until a new pope is elected. Only ordinary business and matters that cannot be postponed can be conducted by the College of Cardinals.
Interregnum
Conclave
Camerlengo
U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, as camerlengo, or chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, assisted by the vice chamberlain and a canonical adviser, is in charge of safeguarding the temporal goods of the church and its temporal rights during the interregnum. The chamberlain heads a three-member commission that oversees physical preparations for the conclave and leads what is called a “particular congregation” — a group of three other cardinals chosen by lot — to conduct the minor day-to-day business of the Vatican until a new pope is elected.
Dean of the College of Cardinals
Cardinal-electors
Only cardinals under the age of 80 on the day the “sede vacante” begins can enter a conclave and vote for a pope. Even if he is retired from other church posts, if a cardinal is under 80 he is considered an active cardinal for the purposes of the conclave. As of April 21, the day of Pope Francis’ death, there are 135 cardinal-electors.
General congregations
Particular congregations
"Extra omnes"
Secrecy
Scrutineers
"Infirmieri"
Revisers
White smoke, black smoke
The traditional signal, from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indicates whether a pope has been elected: Black smoke, no; white smoke, yes. The smoke is generated by burning conclave ballots and notes with chemicals to make the smoke the right color.