With Francis’ death, the Church enters a carefully choreographed period known as sede vacante: literally ‘the seat being vacant’. The ‘seat’ refers not to a physical chair but to the episcopal see, that is, the jurisdiction of a bishop. In this case, it signifies the See of Rome, the episcopal office held by the pope as Bishop of Rome and successor of Saint Peter. Sede vacante therefore means that the see of Saint Peter is vacant. That is why, during this period, the government of the Church shifts temporarily to the College of Cardinals, who act in a caretaker capacity until a new Bishop of Rome is elected.
PRACTICAL MATTERS
Following the moving funeral rites for Pope Francis nine further days of Masses, the Novendiales, are were offered for his soul.
Even while the Church mourns, practical matters must be addressed. The camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, oversees ordinary administration and prepares for the election of a new pope. All cardinals (those who are eligible to vote and those who are not) gather for daily sessions called general congregations. In these meetings they assess the Church’s present challenges: secularisation in Europe, rapid growth in Africa and Asia, financial transparency, the protection of minors, and the delicate task of explaining doctrine in a sceptical age. The 135 cardinals under the age of 80 (age of voting eligibility) will decide who among them should shoulder the burden of the papacy.
The election takes place in the Sistine Chapel and is called a ‘conclave’, from the Latin cum clave, ‘with a key’, because the electors are locked in until they reach a decision. On the day the conclave begins (Wednesday, 7 May) the cardinals walk beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes chanting the Latin hymn Veni Creator Spiritus – ‘Come, Holy Spirit’. Each swears an oath of secrecy; anyone who leaks information risks excommunication. After the phrase Extra omnes – ‘everyone out’ – all non-electors leave, doors close and electronic jammers block mobile signals.
STRICT RULES
Voting follows strict rules refined over many centuries. The cardinals sit in order of seniority, and because the Dean of the College is over 80 the process will be chaired by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Nine electors are chosen by lot to act as tellers and supervisors. Each voter writes one name on a rectangular ballot, folds it twice, and carries it to the altar, declaring before God that the choice is made in conscience. The ballots are counted and read aloud. A candidate needs a two-thirds majority to be elected. If no one achieves this on the first attempt, the ballots are sewn together, mixed with a chemical, and burnt; black smoke billows from the chapel chimney, telling the crowd in St Peter’s Square that the Church is still undecided. Up to four rounds of voting take place each day.
Should 13 days pass without success, the cardinals pause for prayer, then resume with only the two leading names on the ballot, though the two-thirds threshold remains in place. Recent conclaves have rarely lasted long: Benedict XVI was elected after four ballots, Francis after five. Yet the rules ensure that any pope enjoys broad support, discouraging quick victories won by narrow factions.
The moment one candidate crosses the required threshold, the senior teller approaches and asks in Latin, ‘Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?’ If the reply is Accepto, he is immediately pope. He then chooses a papal name, often signalling the style of his forthcoming ministry. Francis chose to honour St Francis of Assisi’s simplicity and concern for creation. Whatever name is chosen, its symbolism is scrutinised worldwide within minutes.
ROOM OF TEARS
The new pope is led to a small side chamber known as the Room of Tears, a private space where many newly elected popes have wept under the sheer weight of responsibility. There he changes into white cassock and skull-cap, prays briefly, and returns to the chapel. White smoke now rises above the Sistine roof, and St Peter’s bells begin to ring. Soon after, the doors of the basilica’s central balcony swing open. The cardinal protodeacon announces, ‘Habemus papam – we have a pope’, pronounces the new pontiff’s baptismal name, and then reveals the papal name he has taken. Stepping forward into the evening air, the pope greets the cheering crowd and imparts his first blessing urbi et orbi – to the city of Rome and to the world. The interregnum ends; a fresh chapter in the Church’s history begins.
What qualities will the cardinals seek? Spiritual depth is non-negotiable: the pope must be a man of prayer and integrity. A global outlook matters too, for the Church’s centre of gravity is shifting southwards. Administrative courage is essential, given ongoing financial reforms and the need for transparent governance. Doctrinal steadiness, balanced by pastoral sensitivity, helps unite believers who span every culture and social class on the planet. Finally, personal chemistry counts: the ability to listen, build consensus, and bear relentless scrutiny is indispensable.
For nearly 1.4 billion Catholics, the pope is the chief teacher of faith, the symbol of unity, and a moral voice that often resonates well beyond the Church. The cardinals’ decision will influence dialogues with other faiths, diplomatic relations, and the way billions of people think about topics ranging from war and poverty to artificial intelligence and the environment.
As the electors gather beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling, they will ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in choosing a shepherd capable of leading an ancient institution through the complexities of the 21st century. When the smoke finally turns white, it will mark not merely the close of a venerable ritual, but the birth of new possibilities for a Church that, in Francis’ own words, must never tire of bringing hope to ‘the peripheries of the world’.
Darius von Güttner Sporzynski is a historian of European history, specialising in identity, power, and dynastic politics. He serves as Campus Dean at Australian Catholic University, Canberra.
Image: Cardinals at St Peter's Basilica for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, January 2023.