Explainer
Explainer
When does the conclave start and how does it work?
The cardinals have assembled in Rome and will soon be locked away in the Sistine Chapel to conduct secret discussions and vote on who should be the next pope.
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Sometimes the cardinals choose a surprise pick for pope. Pic: Reuters
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Cardinals have been gathering in Rome since the death of Pope Francis. Pic: Reuters
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Cardinals take their oath of secrecy ahead of the conclave in 2005. Pic: AP
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Newly installed tables for conclave in the Sistine Chapel. Pic: Reuters
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A man holds a newspaper with the list of cardinals outside the Vatican. Pic Reuters
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No pope yet… black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel. Pic: Reuters
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Pope Francis addresses crowds in St Peter's Square in 2013 after being proclaimed pope. Pic: Reuters
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Brian's Kenya![Cardinals hold their hats during a mass presided by [German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger] in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican April 18, 2005. Cardinals will meet later today in the Sistine chapel for the start of the papal conclave.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nowworldview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/skynews-pope-rome_6411163.jpg?w=1170&ssl=1)
![Newly installed tables for next week's conclave stand under Michaelangelo's frescoes in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel April 16, 2005. [When Roman Catholic cardinals vote in the Vatican for a new pope next week, they will swear an oath before God in Latin and then cast ballots written in the Church's official language.]](https://i0.wp.com/www.nowworldview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/skynews-sistine-chapel-michaelangelo_6899927.jpg?w=1170&ssl=1)
