A pope is elected after what is called “a conclave”, which is an election mode which goes up for the first time to 1241 and the prolonged election of Célestin IV. The next will take place between May 5 and 10. During this vote, all the cardinals voters under the age of 80 meet under the frescoes of the Last Judgment and biblical scenes painted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
A secret election
Although the conclave is made up of more than a hundred people, this election is done in the utmost discretion. Indeed, the cardinals present in the conclave have the right to no contact with the outside world, whether through communication means such as the phone or sources of information such as newspapers, TV or the Internet.
This kind of “bubble” lasts the time of the election, which is generally a few days, where two daily polls are organized, except the first day which contains only one. The cardinals vote on bulletins, which will be gathered to be burned at the end of each session. Smoke is then noticeable above the Sistine Chapel. If the latter is black, it means that the votes have not been conclusive and that the conclave continues. If it is white, that means that the conclave elected the new pope, which will be announced by a high-ranking cardinal by the Balcony of the Saint-Pierre Basilica.
Source: Aveyron press center
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