How Long Does It Take to Elect a New Pope?

Aremu UmorApril 21, 2025

0 5 minutes read

Have you ever wondered how the Catholic Church chooses its next spiritual leader after a pope passes away or steps down? The process seems mysterious, steeped in centuries of tradition and secrecy. But how long does it take to elect a new pope? Is it a matter of days, weeks, or even months? And what exactly happens behind those closed doors in the Vatican?

The election of a new pope is one of the most solemn and significant events in the Catholic Church. It’s a process marked by prayer, secrecy, and careful deliberation. While the entire process can seem swift from the outside, it involves intricate steps rooted in centuries-old practices. In this article, we will explore every phase of the papal election—from the moment a pope dies or resigns to the white smoke that signals a new pope has been chosen. Let’s dive in and uncover how long it takes to elect the next spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis sits before followers

Picture credit: ABC News

The Papacy: A Unique Office

Before we explore the timeline, it’s essential to understand what the papacy represents. The pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome, is the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church and the successor of Saint Peter, whom Catholics believe was appointed by Jesus Christ as the first pope.

Because of this unique spiritual and administrative role, the election of a new pope is treated with the utmost seriousness. The decision affects over a billion Catholics worldwide and can influence global politics, humanitarian efforts, and interfaith dialogue.

When Does the Process Begin?

The election process begins upon the death of a pope or a valid resignation. While most popes die in office, Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013 showed that stepping down is possible under Canon Law. Once a papal vacancy occurs—either due to death or resignation—the Apostolic See becomes sede vacante, which means “the seat is vacant.”

Immediate Steps After the Vacancy

Death or Resignation Announcement: Once the pope dies or resigns, an official announcement is made. In the case of death, Cardinal Camerlengo (Chamberlain) verifies the death and performs traditional rites.
Preparation of the Pope’s Funeral: If the pope has died, there is usually a 9-day mourning period called Novemdiales after the funeral. This mourning period is important and adds to the time before the election begins.
General Congregations Begin: Cardinals gather in Rome for daily meetings known as General Congregations. These meetings discuss church matters and prepare for the conclave.

The Conclave: Where It All Happens

The process of electing a pope occurs during the conclave, a Latin word meaning “with a key,”—indicating that the cardinals are locked in until they reach a decision. This is the heart of the election process.

Who Votes?

Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. The maximum number of voting cardinals is 120, although exceptions exist. These cardinals are sequestered in the Vatican and take an oath of secrecy before voting begins.

The Timeline of a Papal Election

Let’s break down the process into a clear timeline from the moment the papal seat becomes vacant:

Day 1 to Day 3:

The pope dies or resigns.
The College of Cardinals is notified.
The Cardinal Camerlengo certifies the vacancy and takes control of papal property and responsibilities.
Planning for the funeral and other ceremonies begins.

Day 4 to Day 9:

The pope’s funeral takes place.
Daily November prayers and Masses are held.
Cardinals begin arriving in Rome.

Day 10 to Day 15 (approximate):

General Congregations take place.
Cardinals meet daily to discuss church affairs, assess potential candidates, and prepare for the conclave.
The start date of the conclave is set during this period.

Note: The conclave must begin no earlier than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the vacancy begins, though Pope Benedict XVI changed the rules in 2013 to allow for an earlier start if all cardinals are present.

How Long Does the Conclave Last?

Here’s where the actual voting takes place—and the world waits with bated breath.

Day 1 of the Conclave:

Cardinals attend a special Mass called Pro Eligendo Papa (“For the Election of the Pope”).
They move into the Sistine Chapel.
A maximum of one round of voting can occur on this first day.

Subsequent Days:

Each day includes up to four votes—two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
After each vote, ballots are burned. If no pope is elected, black smoke appears from the chapel chimney.
When a pope is elected, white smoke is released.

How Many Votes Does It Take?

A cardinal must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected. If no one receives this majority after multiple rounds, the cardinals may pause for prayer and reflection and then continue voting.

Historical Context:

Shortest conclave: 1503 — Pope Julius II was elected in less than 10 hours.
Longest conclave: 1268–1271 — lasted nearly 3 years due to political deadlock.
Recent conclave: 2013 — Pope Francis was elected on the 5th ballot over two days.

So, What’s the Average time frame?

Let’s summarize the typical duration:

Vacancy and mourning period: 10–15 days.
Conclave preparation: Begins around Day 10.
Conclave duration: Typically 1–5 days.

On average, electing a new pope takes 2 to 3 weeks from the pope’s death or resignation. The actual conclave (voting process) usually lasts only a few days, but the preparations and ceremonies before it can take up to two weeks.

What Happens After a New Pope Is Elected?

Once a cardinal receives the necessary votes and accepts the role, a few key things happen immediately:

He Chooses a Name: The new pope picks a name which is often symbolic and reflects the kind of leadership he hopes to offer.
“Habemus Papam!” Announcement: The Cardinal Protodeacon announces from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”)
First Blessing: The new pope appears to give his first Urbi et Orbi blessing—”to the city and the world.”

Secrecy and Security

One reason the conclave can happen relatively quickly is the secrecy and discipline of the process. Cardinals are not allowed to use phones or the Internet or have any outside communication during the conclave. The entire voting process occurs in the Sistine Chapel, and ballots are hand-counted and destroyed after each round of voting.

This intense focus prevents distractions and promotes unity among the cardinals, leading to faster decision-making in most modern conclaves.

Factors That Can Affect the Timeline

Although the timeline is usually consistent, certain factors can speed up or slow down the process:

Urgency for Stability: Cardinals may feel pressure to elect a new pope quickly if the Church faces major issues.
Divided Opinions: The conclave may take longer if there’s no clear front-runner.
Health or Travel Delays: In rare cases, delays may occur if some cardinals are sick or delayed in travel.
Reforms in Canon Law: Rules can be updated by a sitting pope, as seen when Pope Benedict XVI allowed earlier start dates for conclaves.

The Importance of Prayer and Discernment

Though the process is wrapped in tradition, the spiritual element plays a central role. Cardinals spend hours in prayer and silent reflection, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The goal is to elect a qualified leader and someone chosen by divine inspiration to guide the global Catholic community.

Conclusion

So, how long does it take to elect a new pope? While the actual voting may take just a few days, the entire process from vacancy to installation can span 2–3 weeks. It’s a procedure marked by centuries of tradition, deep spirituality, and careful deliberation.

Behind the scenes of this historic ritual lies a balance of faith, governance, and global responsibility. It’s not just about choosing a man to wear the white cassock—it’s about selecting a spiritual shepherd for more than a billion souls.

In a world of instant decisions and digital speed, the Church reminds us that some choices—especially those that shape the future of faith—require time, reverence, and a touch of the divine.