This article is taken from the Claves.org website: the rules of the conclave. We thank the authors who have authorized us to reproduce it here.

The conclave, a solemn and mysterious moment when cardinals gather to elect a new pope, follows a process codified long ago, which has its roots in the history of the Church. However, the whole process has undergone numerous changes while maintaining the sacred dimension of the papal monarchy. Here we review the rules of the conclave and the modalities of papal election, taking into account the latest changes introduced by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

The Current Edition of the Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis

On February 22, 1996, Pope John Paul II promulgated the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis on the vacancy of the Apostolic See and the election of the Roman Pontiff. This constitution, still in force today, governs the rules of the conclave and was modified by Benedict XVI in 2007 and 2013 to return to the principles of the Third Lateran Council in 1179, which stipulate that the election of a pope must always be done by a two-thirds majority of the votes of the cardinal electors.

Before this 2007 revision, Article 75 of Universi Dominici Gregis allowed an election to be validated by an absolute majority (more than half of the votes) after 30 unsuccessful rounds. With Benedict XVI's reform, this clause was removed: the two-thirds majority thus becomes an imperative condition for the election of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Who Are the Cardinal Electors?

The conclave consists of cardinal electors, who must be under 80 years of age. The number of cardinals called to elect a new pope has increased considerably since the Middle Ages. In 1586, Pope Sixtus V set the maximum number of cardinals at 70. Since then, successive popes, including John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, have regularly increased this number, currently reaching a ceiling of 120 cardinal electors (still amply exceeded, as 133 electors are expected for the 2025 conclave).

Since cardinals originally represent the clergy of the city of Rome (gathered to elect their bishop), they are traditionally divided into three categories: cardinal-bishops (holders of suburbicarian dioceses around Rome), cardinal-priests (holders of Roman parishes), and cardinal-deacons (holders of Roman diaconates). The patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches are also considered as cardinals.

The Vacancy of the Apostolic See

During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, after the death or resignation of the pope, the government of the Catholic Church returns to the College of Cardinals. They are responsible for managing current affairs and preparing the conclave. During this period, the heads of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia cease their functions, with the exception of the Cardinal Camerlengo and the Grand Penitentiary, who submit to the College of Cardinals what would have been referred to the Sovereign Pontiff.

The role of the Camerlengo, assisted by the Apostolic Chamber, is to ensure the management of the temporal goods and rights of the Holy See until the election of the new pope. He must also oversee the administration of the Vatican, although this responsibility is limited to the time of vacancy of the See. The College of Cardinals may, if necessary, make decrees that will be valid only if the future pope confirms them.

The General Congregations and the Conclave Itself

Before entering the conclave, the cardinals meet in "general congregations," which are sessions of prayer, reflection, and sharing of opinions on the issues of the Church. These congregations usually last a week, during which the cardinals prepare for the election. The discussions are strictly confidential, and the cardinals do not have the right to make public statements.

The general congregations are suspended during the pope's funeral, but the election cannot begin before the period of the "novemdiales," the nine days of mourning following the pope's death, has been respected. Thus, the entry into conclave must take place between 15 and 20 days after the vacancy of the Apostolic See.

On the day of the conclave, after the Mass for the election of the pope, the cardinal electors proceed in procession to the Sistine Chapel. There, they take an oath on the Gospels to maintain confidentiality and respect the electoral process. The Vatican master of ceremonies then closes the doors, announcing "extra omnes," meaning that only authorized persons (the cardinal electors) may remain in the chapel.

The Voting Process

Twice a day, the cardinals meet for a ballot. The conclave votes are by secret ballot. Each cardinal writes on a ballot already bearing the words "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" the name of the candidate he wishes to elect and seals it. The ballots are then collected and counted. If a cardinal obtains two-thirds of the votes, and provided he accepts the papal office, he is elected pope. If the vote does not obtain such a majority, a second round is immediately held. In case of unsuccessful ballots, black smoke is sent from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel to indicate that the election has not been successful. When the election takes place, white smoke escapes from the chimney, signaling the conclusion of the conclave.

There is an exception rule whereby, if after seven rounds of voting (at the rate of two per day), no candidate reaches two-thirds of the votes, a break is observed to offer the cardinals a time of prayer and reflection. If after three breaks, the election is still not concluded, the two cardinals who have gathered the most votes become the only eligible candidates. From that moment on, these cardinals no longer participate in the vote.

During the conclave, the cardinal electors are lodged at the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence, located behind the audience hall (Paul VI Hall). A limited number of people, provided for by John Paul II's constitution, are admitted to the service of the conclave: masters of ceremonies, religious, doctors, service personnel, etc. They are also subject to an oath of office and an obligation of strict confidentiality.

Acceptance and Proclamation

In principle, the College of Cardinals is entirely sovereign in the election of the Roman Pontiff; it could choose whomever it wanted (even outside its ranks), within the limits of some conditions arising from divine law as interpreted by the Church: that the elect be a man, baptized, Catholic (neither heretical nor schismatic), having the use of reason, fit to become a bishop if he is not already one (thus celibate or willing to become so). In fact, cardinals have long chosen an elect from among their ranks. However, no procedure for submitting candidacies is provided: providence is presumed to take care of it.

When the election is secured, the Dean of the College of Cardinals asks the elected cardinal if he accepts his election as sovereign pontiff. If the cardinal accepts, he is then asked about the name he chooses to take. The conclave ends immediately after acceptance, the cardinals approach the new pope to pay homage to him and make an act of obedience, and the Proto-deacon Cardinal appears at the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to announce to the world the news of the election. The famous formula "Habemus papam" is pronounced, followed by the name of the new pope and his pontifical name.

The new pope makes his first public appearance to greet the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and to offer them his apostolic blessing Urbi et Orbi, meant for the city and the world.

Secrecy and Legitimacy of the Election

The conclave is a highly secret process. In addition to strict rules on the confidentiality of votes, it is forbidden to disclose the content of discussions or to reveal the identity of candidates before the election. Secrecy is fundamental to preserving the purity of the election and ensuring that the elect, free from any external pressure, is chosen in full conscience by the cardinals. John Paul II's constitution specifies that this secrecy must be maintained after the conclave and the election.

Let us conclude with an important element: although elective, the process of designating the pope, vicar of Christ, confers a theological legitimacy based on the institution of Jesus and the tradition of the Church. Thus, although elected by them, the sovereign pontiff is not simply the representative of the cardinals: it is not from the College of Cardinals that he receives his legitimacy, for his authority comes from God. The papal monarchy, although elective, is of divine right: the election does not confer human legitimacy, but divine legitimacy, on the holder of the Holy See.

The institution of the conclave, with its minute details and theological outcome, is part of the mysterious elements of the human and divine constitution of the Church. Its perpetuation through the centuries is an argument for its continuity. In these moments of uncertainty, praying for the Church is a way of participating in this great mystery of the universal Church, its cardinals, and its mission.