By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
In the heart of the Vatican, behind locked doors and veiled in mystery, a timeless ritual unfolds, one that has echoed through the ages, shaping the future of the Catholic Church.
The Conclave, a sacred gathering of cardinals, holds the power to choose the next shepherd of over a billion souls.
As the cardinals deliberate in the Sistine Chapel, the world waits in breathless anticipation for a single, symbolic signal: the rise of smoke from the ancient chimney.
Black or white, it is more than just a color; it is the heartbeat of a global faith, a whisper from the heavens, revealing whether the Church’s search for a new pope has ended or continues.
In this sacred theater, every ballot cast is a step closer to the dawn of a new papacy, and with it, a new chapter in the story of the Church.
The authority to elect a new pope rests with the College of Cardinals, a group of senior Church officials appointed by previous popes.
However, only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. As of April 2025, there are 135 cardinal electors, surpassing the traditional limit of 120. These cardinals will play the pivotal role in choosing the next Supreme Pontiff.
In light of the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, the election process is set to begin.
According to Vatican expert Dr. Alessandra Ricci, “The responsibility to elect the new pope rests with the cardinals under 80. Their deliberations in the Conclave will shape the future of the Church.”
To preserve the integrity of the election, the cardinals are sequestered within the Vatican. The term “Conclave” itself means “with a key,” emphasizing the absolute isolation of the electors.
During this time, no external communication is allowed, no phones, internet, or news. Even the staff and medical personnel must swear an oath of secrecy, with excommunication as the penalty for leaks.
Experts carefully inspect the premises to ensure no hidden recording devices are present, maintaining the secrecy of the entire process.
The election process begins with a solemn Mass and an oath of confidentiality.
The cardinals then cast their votes on small, rectangular ballots, which are folded, submitted anonymously, and counted aloud by designated scrutineers.
After the votes are counted, the ballots are pierced and threaded together before being burned. This burning process is the key to the world’s understanding of the election’s progress.
If black smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, it indicates that no candidate has yet received the required two-thirds majority vote.
The voting will continue, with a maximum of four ballots taken each day. Historically, damp straw was added to the fire to produce black smoke, signaling the continuation of the election.
When the cardinals reach a decision and a candidate earns the necessary votes, white smoke rises from the chimney, signaling the election of a new pope.
At this moment, chemicals are added to the fire to produce the unmistakable white smoke. For Catholics worldwide, the appearance of white smoke represents a momentous occasion, as it marks the selection of a new leader.
Father Michael O’Connell, a religious commentator, highlights the significance of this moment: “The white smoke signifies that the Holy Spirit has guided the cardinals in selecting a new shepherd for the Church.”
Once the new pope has been elected and accepts the role, he chooses a papal name. The cardinals then pledge their obedience to him.
Tailors are on standby to prepare the papal robes, and after a brief fitting, the new pope steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The senior cardinal deacon announces, “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum… Habemus Papam!” (“I announce to you a great joy… We have a Pope!”).
The new pontiff then delivers his first blessing, Urbi et Orbi, to the city and to the world. This moment, marked by the iconic white smoke, signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church and is a moment of joy for Catholics across the globe.
The age-old process of electing a pope, with its ritualistic smoke signals and secretive conclave, continues to captivate the attention of the faithful and the world, reflecting the deep traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.
