With less than 24 hours until the start of the conclave, we break down the rules and process of the papal election. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and 133 will participate in this conclave. The process begins with a solemn procession into the Sistine Chapel, where the electors take an oath of secrecy before being locked in. From start to finish, the cardinal electors have no contact with the outside world until a new pope is chosen. On Day 1, the cardinals cast one ballot. On Days 2 and 3, they cast two in the morning and two in the afternoon. If no successor is chosen after those nine ballots, the electors break for one day of prayer. The next day, the process begins again. When a cardinal reaches a two-thirds majority, the most senior cardinal approaches the winner and asks if he accepts the election. If he accepts, from that moment, he exercises full and supreme power over the universal Church. After the conclusion of voting in the morning and afternoon, the ballots are burned, and smoke is seen rising above the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke signals that no successor has been chosen, while white smoke signals a successful election—followed by the historic words “Habemus Papam” as the new pontiff steps forward and greets the world. EWTN Vatican journalist Benedicte Cedergren has more.

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