Cardinals under 80 move into the Santa Marta guesthouse before they pick a new pope. They promise not to talk with anyone outside or tell secrets about what happens. They face being kicked out of the church if they break these rules. The morning starts with mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Later, they wear red robes as they gather to pray for help making their choice.
The cardinals head to the Sistine Chapel after workers check for hidden recording devices. Everyone takes an oath to keep everything secret. Anyone who can't vote must leave when the master says everyone out in Latin. Some cardinals become vote counters through a random drawing. Others help sick cardinals vote from their beds. Three more double-check all the counting work.
Each cardinal writes one name on a paper marked I elect as supreme pontiff. They walk one at a time to the altar holding their folded paper high. Each swears Christ will judge their choice before dropping the ballot into a silver container. Vote counters mix up all ballots first thing. They read names out loud as they count them. A name needs two-thirds of the votes to win.
Smoke signals tell people outside about the results. Black smoke means no pope yet. White smoke means Catholics have a new leader. Voting happens twice each morning and twice each afternoon until someone wins. They burn all papers after every round. If days pass with no winner, they take breaks for prayer. The new pope starts his job as soon as he says yes.
The cardinals head to the Sistine Chapel after workers check for hidden recording devices. Everyone takes an oath to keep everything secret. Anyone who can't vote must leave when the master says everyone out in Latin. Some cardinals become vote counters through a random drawing. Others help sick cardinals vote from their beds. Three more double-check all the counting work.
Each cardinal writes one name on a paper marked I elect as supreme pontiff. They walk one at a time to the altar holding their folded paper high. Each swears Christ will judge their choice before dropping the ballot into a silver container. Vote counters mix up all ballots first thing. They read names out loud as they count them. A name needs two-thirds of the votes to win.
Smoke signals tell people outside about the results. Black smoke means no pope yet. White smoke means Catholics have a new leader. Voting happens twice each morning and twice each afternoon until someone wins. They burn all papers after every round. If days pass with no winner, they take breaks for prayer. The new pope starts his job as soon as he says yes.
