Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, died in April. A new pope was elected on May 8, 2025. Cardinal Robert Prevost, from Chicago, Illinois, was chosen. He is now Pope Leo XIV.
The process for choosing a pope is called a conclave. When a pope dies or steps down, cardinals from all over the world meet in Vatican City. Cardinals are leaders. Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also the home of the pope. The cardinals follow rules to vote for a new pope.
The conclave begins with a special Mass (a Catholic act of worship) and a promise to keep the votes secret. Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a piece of paper. The ballots are counted. A candidate must get two-thirds of the vote to be elected.
On the first day, the cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and vote once. After that, they vote twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. If no one receives enough votes, the ballots are burned. Black smoke flows up and out through a temporary (lasting for only a limited time) chimney. It is a signal that no pope was chosen. When one person gets enough votes, white smoke rises into the air. The new pope chooses a name. He speaks to the many people gathered to see him at St. Peter’s Square.
The conclave to replace Pope Francis began on May 7, 2025. On the first day, black smoke rose. No pope was chosen. But on the next day, white smoke appeared. The waiting crowd cheered. After a short time, the senior cardinal stepped outside. He said in Latin, Habemus papam—“We have a pope.” Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, came outside soon after and spoke. The people were excited to see him.
Pope Leo XIV has served the Church for decades in the United States and Peru. He is a citizen of both countries. In his first Sunday speech, Pope Leo called for an end to war.
What Do You Think? Why do the cardinals usually need to vote more than one time?
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