Whether by resignation or death of a pope, the papal conclave is called upon "Sede Vacante" or "empty seat," and the Vatican summons all cardinals. Once that has been determined, cardinals have up to 20 days to get to Rome. The cardinal electors represent over 70 nations: 54 from Europe, 27 from Asia, 24 from Latin America, 18 from Africa, 14 from North America, and four from Oceania, or Australia and New Zealand.
The city-state is the center of the world when the "Sacred College of Cardinals" converges in Rome in a two-room suite of the Vatican, but the vote happens in the Sistine Chapel. There are 252 cardinals worldwide–all eligible to become the Pontiff, but only 141 are under 80, which means they can vote.
A covenant of secrecy is demanded to keep what they do secret until they agree with a majority vote on who is worthy to lead the 1.36 billion adherents of the Catholic Church. The word alone proves it: It's Latin from two words, "con" and "clavis," which means "locked with the key." These cardinals are literally locked in the Vatican and not allowed to leave until they agree upon the next Pontiff.
While there is no designated time to determine who will become Pope, time ranges can vary significantly. Three times–in 1378, 1939, and 1978–conclaves lasted only three days. The longest conclave in history was 33 months to elect Pope Gregory X. If a two-thirds majority vote does not elect someone, the Sacred College will vote again until a majority is reached and a Pope has been chosen.
There is a considerable amount of study, prayer, fasting, and contemplation to fill the shoes of the last pope. Let alone his title, which is officially "His Holiness Pope [NAME], Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor to the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God."
Another cardinal carries a lifelong distinction of being the "Camerlengo" or chamberlain. His office is the top prelate of the conclave and is tasked with the administrative details of the vote. That man is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who served in the state of Washington until Pope Francis honored him in 2016.
It is a diligent and painstaking process in which these men called by God vote two to four times daily until a successor is chosen. No audio or video equipment exists, and any housekeeping or hospitality staff must leave before every vote. The camerlengo works with three scrutineers, or chosen cardinals, who count the ballots each time. All ballots are burned in a furnace inside the chapel, and each "fire" is symbolic.
If a scrutineer uses charcoal to burn, then black smoke is produced, which tells the thousands of devotees sitting in St. Peter's Basilica that there will be another vote. If white cotton is used, white smoke will appear, meaning a new Pontiff is chosen. At that time, the newly elected Pope appeared through the outdoor gallery, or loggia, to greet the throng of people, and the honorific senior cardinal (known as the "Protodeacon") shouted "Habemus Papam," meaning "We have a Pope."
The conclave is a beautiful ceremony and a consecrated process. It usually happens once in a generation and is followed by a papal inauguration mass televised worldwide. Following Pope Francis' pontificate, the same will happen, and all Christians should pray for clarity of mind and peace of spirit.
As Catholics say at each mass, "Thanks be to God."
