With the recent passing of Pope Francis, the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics are watching closely as the Church prepares to choose its next leader.
If you’ve ever wondered how a new pope is picked—or who might get the job this time—here’s a simple, neighborly breakdown of what’s happening at the Vatican, why it matters, and what it could mean for Catholics who value tradition.
What Happens When a Pope Dies?
When a pope dies, the Catholic Church follows a set of traditions that go back hundreds of years.
First, there’s a period of mourning, including a funeral and special prayers.
Then, the Church gets ready for what’s called a conclave—that’s just a fancy word for a secret meeting where the cardinals (the Church’s top leaders) gather to pick a new pope.
Only cardinals under 80 years old get to vote.
This time, there are 135 of them. They come from all over the world, but a lot of them were picked by Pope Francis himself, which could influence what kind of leader comes next.
How Does the Election Work?
Here’s how the process goes, step by step:
- Cardinals travel to Rome and meet at the Vatican.
- They hold a special Mass to pray for guidance.
- The cardinals then enter the Sistine Chapel, where they’re locked in—no phones, no outside contact, no news. It’s all very private, which is why it’s called a “conclave” (from the Latin for “with a key”).
- They vote by secret ballot, up to four times a day. Each cardinal writes down the name of the person they think should be pope, folds the paper, and drops it in a special container.
- To win, a candidate needs a two-thirds majority. That means at least 90 out of 135 votes.
- After each round, the ballots are burned. If no one’s been picked, chemicals are added to the fire to make black smoke, which pours out of a chimney on the chapel. When a new pope is chosen, the smoke turns white—that’s the sign for the world to know the Church has a new leader.
This process can take a few hours or several days, but modern elections are usually quick. The last one, in 2013, took just two days.
Who’s in the Running?
There’s a lot of talk about who might become the next pope.
Here are some of the names being mentioned, especially among those who want the Church to stick to its roots and traditions:
- Cardinal Peter Erdő (Hungary): Erdő is seen as a strong conservative choice. He’s been clear that he wants to uphold traditional Catholic teachings, especially on marriage and family. He’s argued that divorced or remarried Catholics should not receive Holy Communion, sticking closely to Church rules. Some say picking Erdő would show the Church is serious about returning to its core beliefs.
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Congo): Another conservative voice, Ambongo comes from Africa, where the Catholic Church is growing faster than anywhere else. He’s respected for his leadership in tough times and could bring a fresh perspective from outside Europe.
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Tagle is considered the favorite by many, but he’s known for his progressive views. He’s been called the “Asian Pope Francis” because he supports a more welcoming approach to groups like the LGBTQ community and divorced Catholics. Some worry this could mean more changes to Church traditions.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): Parolin is a Vatican insider and a skilled diplomat. He’s seen as a moderate who might try to balance both sides, but he’s not as strongly conservative as Erdő or Ambongo.
What’s at Stake?
For many Catholics—especially those who lean conservative—the big question is whether the Church will keep moving in the direction Pope Francis set, or return to a more traditional path.
Francis was popular in some circles, but polls show that conservative Catholics were less enthusiastic about his leadership.
In fact, only 47% of conservative Catholics in America had a favorable opinion of Francis, compared to 84% who felt good about the Church as a whole5.
Some critics say the Church under Francis became too focused on political issues like climate change and social justice, and not enough on core beliefs.
Others worry about the way Francis handled scandals and made decisions without much input from other leaders.
There’s also concern that if the Church keeps moving left, it could lose its unique identity and drift away from traditional values.
What Do Opponents Say?
Supporters of a more progressive pope argue that the Church needs to be more open and welcoming, especially as it faces challenges like declining attendance in the West.
They point out that Francis tried to make the Church more transparent and professional, especially in handling abuse scandals.
They say change is needed to keep the Church relevant in today’s world.
But for many conservatives, the hope is that the next pope will bring the Church back to its roots—focusing on faith, family, and timeless teachings.
Why Does It Matter?
The choice of the next pope isn’t just important for Catholics.
It can affect everything from how the Church handles moral issues to how it interacts with governments around the world.
For families who care about tradition, faith, and values, this is a moment to watch closely.
As the cardinals gather in Rome, all eyes will be on that chimney. Will the Church stick with the changes of the past decade, or will it return to the path that’s guided it for centuries?
We’ll know soon enough—just look for the white smoke.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
