Vatican prepares for conclave to elect new pope

The conclave to elect the 267th Pope will begin on May 7th, following the conclusion of the Novemdiales Masses to pray for the eternal repose of the late Pope Francis.

A two-thirds majority is traditionally required to elect a new pope, and voting continues until this threshold is met. After each round, the ballots are burned with chemicals producing either black or white smoke, signalling to the world the outcome.

They hear sermons, they pray, they take oaths. And eventually, anyone who isn't an elector is told to leave. The chapel is locked, and the cardinals begin voting. There are multiple ballots each day, and when somebody gets a two-thirds majority, there's a new pope.