How a Pope Is Chosen

A conclave happened about a year ago. Do you know what that is? Who votes in a conclave, and how were Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV elected? Let’s find out with this lesson. I’m your host, Shalone Cason, and let’s begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The cardinals vote

The right to elect the Roman Pontiff belongs exclusively to the Cardinals of Holy Roman Church, with the exception of those who have reached their eightieth birthday

— Universi Dominici Gregis 33

Only cardinals vote, and only those under eighty. The same rule limits the electors to one hundred and twenty, and it excludes any lay power from the choice. This was not always so. The Catholic Encyclopedia says historians generally hold that early on the clergy and people of Rome chose their bishop, as in other dioceses. In 1059 the cardinals were given the central role, and they have kept it.

Two thirds of the votes

for the valid election of the Roman Pontiff at least two thirds of the votes are required

— Universi Dominici Gregis 62

The cardinals vote in secret on paper ballots in the Sistine Chapel. After each count the ballots are burned, and the smoke tells the crowd outside: black means no pope yet, white means there is one. The two-thirds rule is old. A Lateran Council set it in 1179. The first conclave, which means “with a key,” came in 1274 so that the cardinals could choose without outside pressure.

Yes, and a new name

is immediately Bishop of the Church of Rome, true Pope and Head of the College of Bishops

— Universi Dominici Gregis 88

The Cardinal Dean asks the one elected, “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” If he says yes, he is asked, “By what name do you wish to be called?” From that moment he is pope. No emperor or king needs to confirm him, which, in the past, was a serious issue. The Church teaches that the pope’s authority comes from Christ.

Pope Francis, 2013

on 13 March 2013, at the age of 76, Cardinal Bergoglio was elected the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church by the Cardinals gathered in Conclave

— Vatican biography of Pope Francis

Benedict XVI had resigned, so the cardinals met in conclave. They chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas. He took the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi. He served twelve years and died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, which began the process that led to the next conclave.

Pope Leo XIV, 2025

In the Conclave which began on 7 May 2025, Cardinal Prevost was elected Supreme Pontiff on 8 May 2025 and chose the name Leo XIV

— Vatican biography of Pope Leo XIV

Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955. He is an Augustinian, the first pope from the United States and the first Augustinian pope. Pope Francis made him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru in 2015 and a cardinal in 2023. His first words were “Peace be with you all!” and he thanked Pope Francis.

So, how is a new Pope elected? The cardinals gather together at the Vatican after the death or resignation of the previous Pope. The cardinals under eighty all cast their vote in secret. The winning cardinal must receive two-thirds of the votes to be named as a successor of Saint Peter. That was Pope Francis in 2013 and Pope Leo XIV last year. Thanks for learning with us. I’ve been your host, Shalone, and until next time, stay holy, my friends.

Image credits

• Cónclave papal en la Capilla Sixtina, 1903, Unknown author (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
• Koncil, Matthew Paris (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
• Charlemagne and Pope Adrian I, Anonymous Unknown author editor: Antoine Vérard (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
• 2019 Pope Francis visit Saint Louis Hospital by Trisorn Triboon D85 2532, Tris T7 (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
• San Francisco de Asís, Juan Martínez Montañés, Jl FilpoC (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
• City Lights of the United States 2012, NASA Earth Observatory (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
• Pope Leo XIV on the loggia (cropped), Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sources

• John Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregis (1996), as updated on vatican.va
• Catholic Encyclopedia (1911): Papal Elections (for the history)
• Vatican: Biography of the Holy Father Francis (2013–2025)
• Vatican News: Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88
• Vatican: Biography of the Holy Father Leo XIV
• Leo XIV, First Blessing Urbi et Orbi (8 May 2025)

Every pixel drawing in this video is drawn by hand by Shalone Cason.

Written and narrated by Shalone Cason, who chose the topic, selected the points, and reviewed every line. Researched and drafted with AI assistance (Claude) from the sources above. Every quotation is checked word for word against its source.