With the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the Roman Catholic Church has entered a solemn period of mourning and transition. As the global faithful pay tribute to the beloved pontiff, attention now turns to centuries-old traditions that guide the Church through the interregnum—the period between the death of a pope and the election of his successor.
Here is what traditionally happens next.
1. Confirmation of Death and Mourning Period
The death of a pope is first verified by the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church—in this case, Cardinal Kevin Farrell—who officially declares the pope deceased and takes temporary charge of the Vatican’s administration. The papal ring, known as the Fisherman’s Ring, is ceremonially destroyed to prevent misuse of the papal seal.
The Church observes a nine-day mourning period known as “novemdiales”, during which daily masses are held in memory of the deceased pope. The body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their final respects. Pope Francis will be laid to rest later this week, with a funeral expected to draw heads of state, religious leaders, and millions of pilgrims.
2. The Sede Vacante Begins
With the death of the pope, the “Sede Vacante” (“vacant seat”) period officially begins. During this time, no new decisions are made on Church doctrine or appointments. The Vatican City State’s governance passes temporarily to the College of Cardinals, though their powers are limited.
3. Calling the Conclave
Within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death, the College of Cardinals, made up of all cardinals under the age of 80, is summoned to the Conclave—the closed-door papal election held in the Sistine Chapel.
Cardinals pray for guidance, deliberate in secrecy, and vote up to four times per day. A candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected pope.
The Conclave: Electing the New Pope
Between 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, the College of Cardinals convenes in a conclave to elect his successor. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, with the number of electors capped at 120.
The conclave is held in the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals are sequestered without external communication. They take an oath of secrecy, and voting proceeds with up to four ballots daily. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope.
The outcome of each ballot is signaled by smoke from the chapel’s chimney: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke announces the election of a new pope. Upon acceptance, the new pope chooses a papal name and is introduced to the world with the proclamation “Habemus Papam.”
Global Representation Among Cardinal Electors
The College of Cardinals reflects the Church’s global diversity. As of 2025, the distribution of the 120 cardinal electors by continent is as follows:
Africa: 18 electors
Asia: 23 electors
Europe: 53 electors
North America: 20 electors
South America: 17 electors
Oceania: 4 electors
Notably, approximately 80% of these electors were appointed by Pope Francis, emphasizing his commitment to a more inclusive and globally representative Church.
4. White Smoke: A New Pope is Chosen
When a consensus is reached, white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling to the world that a new pope has been chosen. Black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote.
The newly elected pope then accepts the role, chooses a papal name, and dresses in the white papal cassock for the first time. He is introduced to the world with the historic words: “Habemus Papam”—“We have a Pope.”
5. First Blessing and Inauguration
Shortly after his election, the new pope appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first apostolic blessing. Days later, an inaugural Mass is held, formally beginning the new papacy.