O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

FAQs

When does the conclave to elect the next pope begin?

The conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7. 

What is a conclave?

A conclave is the gathering of the College of Cardinals to elect a new Pope. The word conclave comes from Latin meaning “with a key,” reflecting the tradition of locking the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel until a new Pope is chosen.

Who elects the new pope?

Cardinals who are under the age of 80 participate in the conclave. There are 135 cardinal electors representing 72 countries, including 10 cardinal electors from the United States.

What is a cardinal in the Church?

A cardinal is a senior official in the Catholic Church appointed by the Pope. Most cardinals are bishops who serve as key advisors to the Pope and lead major dioceses or departments within the Vatican. Originally, the title "cardinal" referred to the clergy of Rome—priests and deacons assigned to key churches within the Diocese of Rome.

Over time, as the Church grew, popes began appointing bishops from around the world as cardinals, symbolically incorporating them into the Roman clergy. Even today, every cardinal, regardless of where they are from, is assigned a titular Church in Rome, symbolizing their incorporation into the clergy of the Diocese of Rome. This is what gives them the legal right to elect the Bishop of Rome—the Pope.

What are the procedures for electing a new pope?

The cardinals vote by secret ballot with a two-thirds majority required to elect a new Pope. Voting is done up to four times per day until someone is elected.

What happens when a new pope is elected?

White smoke will appear and bells will ring from the Sistine Chapel. The new pope will be announced from a balcony at St. Peter's in Rome with the words, "Habemus papam" or "We have a pope." The senior cardinal deacon will say the new pope's baptismal name, as well as the name that he has chosen for his papacy. Then, the new pope will address the world for the first time as Holy Father.

Where can I watch coverage of the conclave and the announcement of the new pope?

It is anticipated that all major news networks will provide live coverage of St. Peter's Square. Additionally, coverage can be live streamed through the Vatican News YouTube channel or EWTN's live stream below.

What are the best times to watch for white smoke?

While there is no way to know for sure what times the ballots will be burned, based on previous conclaves, the best times to watch for white smoke are 3:30 a.m., 5 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12 p.m. CT on each day of the conclave. On the first day, Wednesday, May 7, there will be only one ballot, the evening ballot.

How can I pray for the conclave?

Bishop McClory has encouraged all Christians to pray, "Come, Holy Spirit," for the cardinals participating in the conclave, that they will elect the man who God wants to lead the Church as pope.

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