A ringing of bells will accompany puffs of white smoke announcing that a new pontiff has been chosen to lead the world’s Roman Catholics.

However, before that can happen, the conclave must be held.

The name of the election procedure derives from the Latin “cum clave” (with a key) and refers to the tradition of locking cardinals in a room until they agree upon a new pope.

As usual, voting will take place in the Michelangelo-frescoed Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.

Cardinals will swear an oath of secrecy about the proceedings and seal themselves off from the world.

To prevent any outside influence from affecting the election, the men will not be allowed to read newspapers, watch television, listen to the radio, exchange mail or use telephones and computers.

During the conclave, cardinals will be housed in Saint Martha House, a residence inside the Vatican built in the 1990s also used for the previous conclave.

Before 2005, cardinals had to sleep in cramped conditions in the Apostolic Palace, the pope’s official residence.

Theoretically, any baptized male Catholic is eligible to become pope. In practice, however, the conclave will elect one of the members of the College of Cardinals.

There is no official list of candidates for the papacy. Each cardinal simply writes the name of the person he favours on a slip headed with the words “Eligo in summum pontificem… ” (I vote for … as pope).

Cardinals are encouraged to disguise their handwriting to prevent anyone from knowing where their sympathies lie.

One ballot is held on the first day, followed by four on each successive day.

From ballot to ballot, support builds for various figures, making the outcome clearer until the needed two-thirds majority is reached.

Should no pope have been elected after three days, there must be an interruption of no more than a day to retire for prayer and “informal conversation among the electors,” as John Paul II directed in his 1996 document “Universi Dominici Gregis” (The Lord’s Whole Flock).

The most senior cardinal addresses the conclave.

Three urns will be used for voting. One is used to collect the cardinal’s ballot papers; another one to hold them after they have been counted; and a third may be brought to cardinals confined to Saint Martha House owing to illness or frailty.

Ballot papers are strung together and burned after each vote. When dark smoke rises from the Sistine chimney, this is a signal that no pope has been elected.

Though conclaves have in the past lasted months, and even years, in recent history they have never taken more than a week.

Once the necessary majority is achieved, the would-be pope is asked if he accepts the post. If he says yes, he assumes office from that moment and is asked to state the name he has chosen to use as pope – generally that of a former pontiff or of a beloved saint.

White smoke then rises from the Sistine Chapel, in a sign to the outside world that a pope has at last been elected.

At this point, the cardinal protodeacon, who at the time of Francis’ death was French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, will appear from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce to the world: “Habemus papam” (We have a pope). (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Conclave is the assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope.

The focus on Wednesday will be on the cardinals, including some who are not considered candidates and are less well-known. However, one woman also plays an important role.

GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE, 91:
The Italian has been one of the most important figures in the Vatican since the death of Francis.

As dean of the College of Cardinals, he celebrated the grand Requiem Mass with state guests from around the world. In recent days, he also led the meetings of the cardinals, the so-called General Congregation.

However, he is already 11 years too old to vote in the conclave.

PIETRO PAROLIN, 70:
Since Re’s deputy, Vice Dean Leonardo Sandri, 81, has also exceeded the age limit, the conclave will be led by the highest-ranking cardinal bishop eligible to vote: Parolin.

The Italian, previously the Vatican’s secretary of state, the second highest rank in the political and diplomatic functions of the Vatican, is also considered one of the favourites.

DOMINIQUE MAMBERTI, 73:
Almost the whole world will be watching the French cleric once a new pope has been chosen.

As cardinal protodeacon, he has the job of stepping onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica and announcing: “Habemus papam” (We have a pope) – unless he is elected himself, but that does not seem likely.

RAFFAELLA PETRINI, 56:
The Italian Franciscan is one of the women recently appointed by Francis to leadership positions in the Vatican.

As president of the governorate of Vatican City State, she is the administrative head of the Vatican. Her tasks include ensuring the smooth running of the conclave.

This means she is also responsible for ensuring that everything remains truly secret. However, she will not be present in the Sistine Chapel.

MYKOLA BYCHOK, 45:
The Ukrainian cleric is the youngest among the 133 cardinals eligible to vote. Previously, he served as a cleric in his home country Ukraine and in the United States.

Today, he is a bishop in the Australian city of Melbourne. He also holds Australian citizenship.

CARLOS OSORO SIERRA, 79:
The Spaniard – formerly archbishop of Madrid – is the oldest cardinal allowed to participate in the decision. He was born on May 16, 1945.

This means that if Francis had lived one month longer, he would no longer be involved.

PHILIPPE OUÉDRAOGO, 79/80:

The cardinal from Burkina Faso, formerly Archbishop of Ouagadougou, is listed in the papal yearbook for 2025 with the birth date of December 31, 1945.

Strangely, the year before, he was still listed with January 25, 1945, as in his identity card. Now he can vote.

GIOVANNI ANGELO BECCIU, 76:
The Italian made headlines again shortly before the conclave. He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for embezzlement and fraud in a Vatican real-estate deal. The appeal is still ongoing.

However, Francis had already excluded him from the conclave. Initially, Becciu still wanted to participate. Eventually, he decided not to. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Two and a half weeks after the death of Pope Francis, 133 cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to decide on his successor.

The first ballot is scheduled for the afternoon, but a swift decision is considered unlikely.

A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope.

A two-thirds majority is required to elect the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. There are 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

The conclave will take place in strict isolation from the outside world.

The cardinals must hand in their mobile phones, smartphones, and all other digital devices.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote.

The media and bookmakers currently favour the previous number two in the Catholic Church, Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

As the most senior cardinal, the 70-year-old also presides over the conclave.

As tradition dictates, smoke will rise from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening following the first round of voting.

Black smoke signals no decision; white smoke means a new pope has been chosen.

Since the 1960s, conclaves have lasted only two or three days.

Francis died on April 21 at the age of 88. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim