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Insight Horizon Media

How a new pope is chosen?

Author

Robert Miller

Published Feb 09, 2026

How a new pope is chosen?

A papal conclave is a gathering of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a bishop of Rome, also known as the pope. Catholics consider the pope to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and the earthly head of the Catholic Church. A two-thirds supermajority vote is required to elect the new pope.

Is the pope elected for life?

Popes are elected for life unless they voluntarily — without pressure or coercion — resign from office. Pope Benedict XVI resigned in early 2013. The last pope to quit was Pope Gregory XII in 1415.)

What color is the smoke when a pope dies?

Black
Black and White Smoke after a Pope Dies Black smoke, or fumata nera, is sent out to inform the world that the Pope has died.

What is it called where the pope lives?

The Vatican palace is the residence of the pope within the city walls. The Holy See is the name given to the government of the Roman Catholic Church, which is led by the pope as the bishop of Rome.

Can the pope marry?

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church has been credited for his humility and modern approach to the papacy, breaking traditions that had been upheld be popes for more than a century. This means the simple answer to this article’s question is no, Popes do not marry.

How old is Pope Francis?

84 years (December 17, 1936)
Pope Francis/Age

Can the Pope marry?

A number of them had offspring. The Second Lateran Council (1139) made the promise to remain celibate a prerequisite to ordination, abolishing the married priesthood in the Latin Church….Popes who were legally married.

NameFelix III
Reign(s)(483–492)
RelationshipWidowed before he was elected as pope
OffspringYes

Has any pope had a child?

Some candidates were sexually active before their election as pope, and others were accused of being sexually active during their papacies. A number of them had offspring….Popes who were legally married.

NameJohn XVII
Reign(s)(1003)
RelationshipMarried before his election as pope
OffspringYes (three sons)

Why do popes wear red shoes?

Throughout Church history, the color red has been deliberately chosen to represent the blood of Catholic martyrs spilt through the centuries following in the footsteps of Christ. The red shoes also symbolize the submission of the Pope to the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ.

How big is the papal apartment?

162,000 square metres
Covering 162,000 square metres (1,743,753 square feet), it contains the Papal Apartments, offices of the Roman Catholic Church and Holy See, chapels, Vatican Library, museums and art galleries.

How do cardinals decide who to elect Pope?

During this period all the cardinals – retirees included – will begin to discuss in strict secrecy the merits of likely candidates. The cardinals do not have to choose one of their own number – theoretically any baptised male Catholic can be elected pope – but tradition says that they will almost certainly give the job to a cardinal.

How many votes do you need to be elected Pope?

Previously, a candidate had to secure a majority of two-thirds to be elected pope (two-thirds plus one vote if the number of cardinals does not divide by three). John Paul II ruled that the voting could shift to a simple majority (50% plus one vote) after about 12 days of inconclusive voting.

Where does the Pope live and what does he do?

Where Does the Pope Live? The official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. The Pope lives in an official place called the Apostolic Palace. While many refer to it as the apostolic palace, others know it as the Vatican Palace, Papal Palace, or palace of the Vatican.

How does a lay person become a Pope?

If for some reason a lay person was elected, the Dean of the College of Cardinals would first have to ordain him to the appropriate clerical offices, from priest through the bishop, before he could take over the post of Bishop of Rome that is required of all popes. If he is already a bishop somewhere, it is a tradition that he set aside that post.