The Pope is elected during a papal conclave held inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The College of Cardinals, specifically those under the age of 80 known as cardinal electors, gather there to vote in secrecy until a candidate receives at least a two-thirds majority of the votes
. The conclave process involves multiple rounds of secret ballots, with the cardinals remaining isolated from the outside world during the election. After each round, the ballots are burned inside a stove connected to the Sistine Chapel chimney. Black smoke signals no decision yet, while white smoke announces that a new Pope has been elected
. Once elected, the new Pope accepts the position, chooses a papal name, and is announced to the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the traditional phrase "Habemus Papam" ("We have a Pope")
. In summary, the election takes place:
- Location: Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
- Electors: Cardinals under 80 years old
- Voting: Secret ballots requiring a two-thirds majority
- Announcement: White smoke and "Habemus Papam" from St. Peter’s Basilica balcony
