From A to Z, the key terms to understand how the new pope is elected, between ancient rites, secret votes and sacred symbols
An ancient, solemn rite, full of symbols and mystery. When a pope dies or renounces the pontificate, the Catholic Church enters one of its most delicate and fascinating moments: the vacant venue. And it is then that the millennial mechanism that leads to the election of the successor of Peter is activated, a spiritual guide of over one billion Catholics in the world. An event that mixes spirituality and history, prayer and very rigid rules, in a process that takes place in the heart of the Vatican, in the Sistine chapel, under the silent eyes of Michelangelo’s universal judgment.
The conclave – from the Latin cum club, “with key” – is the cloister in which the cardinal voters enter to choose the new pontiff, in absolute confidentiality, isolated from the outside world. No cell phone, no connection, only the secret vote, the ballot and that ancient and simple signal that has been exciting the faithful for centuries: the white smoke.
In 2025 the seventy -sixth conclave in the history of the Church will be celebrated, with cardinals from any continent, bearers of different visions, cultures and sensitivity. But the rite remains unchanged in its key passages: the entry into procession, the “extra omnes” formula, the beginning of the voting, the silence, the wait. Until the most awaited announcement: “Habemus Papam”.
But how does it really work? What are the rules, the stages and the terms to know to follow this decisive moment for the church step by step? Here is a glossary from A to Z to understand everything (or almost) of the conclave.
A – Canonical acceptance
It is the moment when the elected cardinal officially accepts the pontificate and chooses his name as a pope. Only after this acceptance does the election become definitive.
B – Benedict XVI
It was Pope Ratzinger who modified some rules of the Conclave: he established, for example, that after 34 ballots gone empty, a “ballot” is proceeded between the two most voted candidates, while maintaining the rule of the qualified majority.
C – Sistine Chapel
It is the place where the conclave takes place. Scrigno of art and spirituality, is dominated by the famous fresco of Michelangelo’s universal judgment. Symbol of beauty that accompanies the choice of the new Pope.
D – Duration
There is no pre -established time: some conclai last days, other weeks. The longest in history lasted 2 years and 9 months (1268-1271), the one shorter only 10 hours, in 1503, to elect Julius II.
E – Extra Omnes
It means “all out”. It is the order that marks the beginning of the Conclave: those who are not authorized to stay must leave the Sistine Chapel. The doors close, the insulation begins.
F – smoke
The most anticipated visual signal comes out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel: the black smoke indicates that there is still no pope; The white one announces that the election took place.
G – Gregory X
It was the Pope who, after a very long conclave, established the current procedure in 1274: the cardinals had to remain locked up to the election, to avoid external pressures.
H – Habemus Papam
It is the Latin formula with which the election of the new pontiff announces to the world. It is proclaimed from the central balcony of San Pietro by Cardinal ProtodiaCono.
I – Ingravescentem Aetatem
Motu of Paul VI of 1970 which establishes the age limit of 80 years for the cardinal voters. Today only those who have not yet turned 80 can vote in conclave.
L – tears
The “room of tears” is the place where the newly elected Pope prepares before appearing. It is a moment full of emotion, often accompanied by crying for the responsibility that awaits him.
M – Mary Mother of God
Marian devotion always accompanies the conclave. Pope Francis, for example, was deeply linked to the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, preserved in Santa Maria Maggiore.
N – Nicolò II
With the bubble in nomine domains of 1059, this pope established that only the cardinals could elect the bishop of Rome, laying the foundations of modern conclave.
Or – Honorius I
Pope elected in 627, he was subsequently condemned as a heretic by a council for a theological controversy over the double nature of Christ.
P – People of God
For centuries, the Roman people also had a role in the election of the Pope. Only in more recent times the right to vote has been reserved for cardinals.
Q – Quorum
It is the majority necessary to validly elect a Pope: today two thirds of the votes of the cardinals present are needed.
R – Rome
Center of Christianity, Rome hosts the tomb of Peter, the first Pope. The current Basilica of San Pietro was built on the place of his martyrdom, as wanted by Constantine in the 4th century.
S – vacant seat
It is the period between the end of a pontificate and the election of the successor. At this stage, the government of the Church is entrusted to the Camerlengo.
T – Titulus
Each cardinal has a title: a church in Rome or the surroundings that symbolically represents his participation in the Roman clergy.
U – Urbi et orbi
The first blessing of the new Pope, addressed “to the city and the world”, is given immediately after the election, from the balcony of the Basilica of San Pietro.
V – Vacantis Apostolicae Seys
Apostolic Constitution signed by Pius XII who regulates the powers of the Curia during the vacant office. Everyone decays from their positions, except three key figures: Camerlengo, penitentiary and vicar of Rome.
Z – Zucchetto
Small ecclesiastical headdress. It is white for the pope, red for the cardinals, purple for the bishops. The change of Zucchetto is one of the visible signs of the transition to the pontificate.
