After a pope dies – or in very rare cases, resigns – the Catholic Church chooses its next leader through an ancient electoral process called the papal conclave. Here's how it works.

The word itself predates Christianity, but the conclave with its secretive deliberations and ancient trappings still captures the public's curiosity.

This three-year conclave led the new Pope, Gregory X, to declare in 1274 that future conclaves must be held behind closed doors, with no contact between cardinals and the outside.

The Argentinian-born Francis was the first pope born or raised outside of Europe in over 1,000 years. ... Francis was selected using an age-old method — a system known as the Papal conclave.

MORE: Electing a new pope: What happens next and what is a papal conclave? Faithful queue to pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025. Kai ...

Since 1975, only those younger than 80 are able to participate in the papal conclave. As of Jan. 22, there were 252 cardinals, of whom 138 are electors, according to the Vatican .

He was the first pope from the Americas and the first born outside of Europe in over a millennia. The papal conclave – which has remained virtually unchanged after more than 800 years – takes ...

The Conclave has remained virtually unchanged for the last 800 years and typically begins 15 to 20 days after the pope's death or resignation. Skip Navigation Share on Facebook ...

Pope Francis's death at the age of 88 means the Catholic Church must choose a new leader. Here's how cardinals elect the next pontiff at the conclave.

Following Pope Francis' death on April 28 -- which set into process the start of a new papal conclave ... Per tradition, the cardinals are cut off from the outside world, ...

The Conclave has remained virtually unchanged for the last 800 years and typically begins 15 to 20 days after the pope's death or resignation. Skip Navigation Share on Facebook ...