What Is the Papal Conclave?

The conclave is the room where cardinals meet to elect a new pope.

The conclave is the locked room in the Sistine Chapel where cardinals meet to elect a new pope.

History

The Second Council of Lyons created the conclave process in 1274 as a way to rid the papal election of outside interference and end the long vacancies between pontiffs that were often caused by this interference. It was declared that the electors should meet in seclusion "cum lave" (Latin for "with a key") and not leave until the new pope was elected.

Function

The cardinals meet 15 to 18 days after the death of the previous pope to elect the new pope. Technically any adult male Roman Catholic is eligible to become pope, but practice has limited the candidates to cardinals.

Features

The election is by secret ballot, and the electoral majority was fixed by Pope Pius XII to two-thirds plus one. After the votes are counted, the ballots are burned. White smoke signals that a new pope has been elected. If the vote was inconclusive, straw is added to the fire to give off black smoke and the process starts over.

References

• The Columbia Enyclopedia; Papal Election; 2008