By Our Reporter
Preparations for the conclave to find a new pope accelerated Friday with the installation of the chimney out of the Sistine Chapel that will signal the election of a successor to Pope Francis.
Vatican firefighters were seen on the roof of the Sistine Chapel installing the chimney, a key moment in the preparation for the May 7 conclave.
After every two rounds of voting in the Sistine Chapel, the ballots of the cardinals are burned in a special furnace to indicate the outcome to the outside world.
If no pope is chosen, the ballots are mixed with cartridges containing potassium perchlorate, anthracene (a component of coal tar) and sulfur to produce black smoke. But if there is a winner, the burning ballots are mixed with potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin to produce the white smoke.
The white smoke came out of the chimney on the fifth ballot on March 13, 2013, and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was introduced to the world as Pope Francis a short time later from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. Francis, history’s first Latin American pope, died April 21 at age 88.
The chimney installation took place as cardinals arrived in the Vatican for another day of pre-conclave discussions about the needs of the Catholic Church going forward and the type of pope needed to run it.
These consultations include all cardinals, including those over age 80 who are ineligible to vote in the conclave itself.
In recent days, they have heard reports about the Vatican’s dire financial situation, and have had the chance to speak individually about priorities going forward and problems they identified in Francis’ pontificate.
Francis was a somewhat divisive pope, beloved by some for his focus on the poor and marginalized, but criticized by others who accused him of sowing confusion among the faithful on issues of morality and church law. These conservatives and traditionalists, who are not believed to have a majority among the 135 cardinal electors, are hoping a new pope will reassert core church teachings and act as a stabilizing figure in the Vatican bureaucracy.
Cardinal Beniamino Stella, who headed the Vatican office for clergy under Francis until his retirement in 2021, has been among the older, non-voting cardinals who has spoken during the pre-conclave sessions. According to America, the magazine of the U.S. Jesuits, Stella this week strongly criticized Francis’ reform of the Vatican bureaucracy that allowed women and lay people to head Holy See offices rather than clergy.
That reform, contained in a 2022 constitution, overhauled the Vatican bureaucracy and fulfilled a key mandate Francis received from cardinals going into the 2013 conclave that elected him pope. But some have criticized the reform, which was nine years in the works and sought to make the Holy See more service-oriented and efficient.
Francis named two laymen to head the Vatican communications operation and the economy ministry. More significantly, he named two nuns to head two of the most important Vatican offices: Sister Simona Brambilla as head of the Vatican office responsible for all the world’s Catholic religious orders, and Sister Raffaella Petrini as head of the Vatican City State administration. In that position, Petrini runs the city state and is responsible for everything from the Vatican Museums that provide the Holy See with most of its revenue, to the firefighters who installed the chimney on the Sistine Chapel Friday.
Their appointments were tangible evidence of Francis’ belief that women should have a greater decision-making role in church governance. But Stella, according to unnamed cardinals cited by America, objected to Francis’ decision to separate the power of governance in the church from the priesthood.
It is unclear what influence older cardinals such as Stella, who at age 83 will not actually cast a vote, will have on the younger cardinal electors. In general, cardinals of the more conservative old guard have stresesed the need for unity over pursuing Francis’ more radical legacy.
“The pope has to ensure the unity of all of the church,” said Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the retired head of the Vatican’s evangelization office. “This is first and foremost. Everything else comes after,” the 79-year-old cardinal said as he arrived Friday for the pre-conclave discussions.
Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib, the 68-year-old archbishop of Santiago, Chile, said the variety of points of view was useful in the pre-conclave meetings. Francis made Chomali a cardinal in December after appointing him to head the Chilean church through the continued fallout of the clergy sexual abuse scandal.
“For me, that I come from Chile, a far away country, hearing such different experiences is an enrichment, not only for me but for all of the church,” he said as he entered Friday.
PROCESS OF ELECTING NEW POPE
The election of a pope may seem mysterious from the outside, but every detail follows centuries-old tradition. Behind closed doors at the Vatican, cardinals gather in secrecy to decide the next leader of the Catholic Church. Modern times bring new challenges, but the process remains rooted in rules, rituals, and symbols few fully understand—until now.
Only Cardinals Under 80 Can Vote
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Not every cardinal gets a ballot. Those over 80 lose voting privileges, regardless of rank or experience. This rule keeps the electorate closer to current Church issues and encourages fresh perspectives. They don’t participate once the official voting begins inside the Sistine Chapel, but they can still attend meetings.
The Sistine Chapel Hosts the Vote
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Once the conclave begins, the cardinals step into the Sistine Chapel to decide on a new head. The sacred space becomes a sealed chamber. Guards are posted, doors are locked, and the entire process unfolds under The Last Judgment.
Conclave Means “Locked With a Key”
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The word “conclave” isn’t symbolic—it’s literal. Cardinals are physically locked in, cut off until a result is reached. Meals are brought in, communication is blocked, and everything centers on the task at hand. It’s designed to ensure focus, prayer, and freedom from outside influence.
White or Black Smoke Tells the World
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Each time cardinals vote, they burn the ballots. If no one is chosen, the smoke rising from the chapel chimney is black. When someone has received enough votes, white smoke signals success. It’s a simple yet powerful image with millions watching the Vatican roof for that final, long-awaited color change.
Two-Thirds of the Vote Is Needed
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A supermajority is the standard. A cardinal must secure two-thirds of the votes to become pope, which often requires multiple rounds. This rule is meant to avoid narrow or controversial results and encourages consensus over popularity. The system favors unity and patience, even if it takes days to reach.
No One Can Vote for Himself
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Humility is enforced in this ultimate leadership contest. Cardinals are not allowed to cast a vote for themselves. It’s a built-in safeguard against ambition clouding judgment. Each name written down is someone another cardinal believes is best suited to lead, not a reflection of personal desire for the role.
Outsiders Can Technically Be Chosen
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Theoretically, any baptized Catholic male could be elected—even someone who is not already a cardinal. Though no layman has been chosen in centuries, the rule still stands. It reflects the belief that leadership is a divine calling, not just a political appointment within Church ranks.
Campaigning Is Strictly Banned
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The Vatican doesn’t tolerate electioneering. Cardinals must not promote themselves or others for the papacy. Behind-the-scenes alliances, promises, or lobbying violate the sacred nature of the conclave. If discovered, they can disqualify a candidate. The focus remains on discernment, not politics.
Acceptance Is Required Before Announcing
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Once a candidate receives enough votes, he isn’t automatically pope. He must say yes. The moment he accepts, he becomes the next pontiff. Only then does he choose his papal name, a decision that often signals his values and intentions. Until that word is spoken, the process remains unfinished.
Bells Ring After an Election
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As soon as the new individual is accepted, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica begin to chime. The combined sound and smoke confirm the result for anyone watching in the square. It’s a joyful, unmistakable moment after hours—or sometimes days—of anxious waiting.
The Balcony Reveal Is Carefully Timed
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After the decision, a new name, and the change of clothes, the pope steps out for his first appearance. The Vatican doesn’t rush the moment. The cardinals prepare the announcement, and then the newly chosen leader offers his first blessing to the world, sometimes after catching his breath in private.
The Dean of the Cardinals Guides the Vote
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When the conclave begins, the dean leads the way. This senior cardinal doesn’t get extra power, but he keeps the proceedings in order, announces the results, and helps guide the spiritual tone. If the dean is ineligible or absent, his duties fall to the next most senior cardinal.
Several Rounds Happen Each Day
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The pace of voting is brisk but deliberate. Typically, two sessions are held each day—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—with two ballots per session. That means up to four rounds daily. Between votes, the cardinals pray, reflect, and quietly consider who might best serve.
Total Silence Is the Norm
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Deliberations happen quietly. Discussions are permitted before voting begins, but once the ballots are in motion, no one speaks. This deep silence reflects the spiritual weight of the decision.
A Pope Can Step Down
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While rare, resignation is allowed. Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world in 2013 by becoming the first to step down in centuries. His departure set a modern precedent and proved that even lifelong roles can end with humility. The process for replacing a living leader mirrors that of replacing one who has died.
Some Conclaves Have Lasted Weeks
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Speed isn’t guaranteed. Some elections have lasted days, while others have stretched into months, especially in the past. The modern conclave moves faster thanks to clearer procedures and stricter schedules. But there’s no time limit. The cardinals stay put until they agree, however long it takes.
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