How a Papal Conclave works

A popular expression in Italy says “When a Pope dies, a new one comes”. All we need is a bunch of Cardinals and a chimney, then the most secret election in the world can finally start.
There is no chance to know what happens in the Sistine Chapel, but we can learn how a Papal Conclave works.

Between rules and tradition

The word Conclave (from Latin “cum clave”, “locked up”) refers both to the place where Cardinals meet for the election and the assembly.
Starting from 1878, the Conclave traditionally took place in the Sistine Chapel, but it became official only in 1996. Until now, including Pope Francis,  inside the Vatican there have been only 52 Conclaves: 25 in the Sistine Chapel, 10 in the Pauline Chapel and 17 in other rooms of the Apostolic Palace.
Through the years, each Pope turned centuries-old traditions to strict rules, sometimes even adding new ones. For example, Pope Paul VI modified age limits and ballot conditions. 

A comfortable seclusion

In 1996, the reform of the Conclave changed the strict conditions of seclusion. This meant no more uncomfortable cells arranged in the big halls of the Apostolic Palace, with locked windows and shared toilets.
Today, Cardinals stay in the beautiful rooms of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, but without TV, phones of computers.
Even their shuttle bus is totally isolated, starting from the cabin, to avoid any contact with the “outside world”. 

Right to veto

Adding new rules through the centuries helped Cardinals making their decisions faster, but they still had to tolerate many pressures. The most insolent person was King Philip II of Spain, who in 1590 expressed his veto on 30 different Cardinals.
This brought to the so-called “Exclusive Right”, a powerful veto granted to the most important Catholic Countries.
It ended in 1903, when the Bishop of Krakow pronounced on behalf of Emperor Franz Joseph the veto. All the Cardinals rejected it and elected Pope Pius X: ironically, the first thing he did was abolishing the right of veto. 

Black smoke or white?

After pronouncing a series of formulas, vows and prayers, it is time to count the votes. As the tradition wants, all cards are tied up and burnt. That’s when we have the famous smoke signal, used to inform everyone about the results.
Black smoke means the election gave no result, while white smoke announces the choice of a new Pope.
Originally, they got the color by burning damp straw. During the last Conclaves, however, they burned some chemical product together with the cards.