How is a new pope chosen?

Upon the death or resignation of a pope, all the cardinals of the Catholic Church under the age of 80 are called to Rome. They meet at the Vatican.

After some days of preparation and prayer, the cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel — literally locked in — and they can't leave or communicate with the outside world until a new pope is chosen.

Each cardinal writes the name of his choice for pope on a slip of paper and places it on a plate, which is then tipped into a chalice. They vote up to four times a day.

To elect a new pope, a two-thirds majority is required.

After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. Black smoke means no pope yet. White smoke means a new pope has been elected!

The chosen cardinal is asked if he accepts the election. If he says yes, he immediately becomes pope and chooses his papal name. Then the senior cardinal announces to the world: "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a Pope!")

The new pope comes out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to give his first blessing.