When does the conclave start? How does it work? Understand election of the new Pope

A peak of St. Peter’s bells will add to the announcement of the event, and so everything will be clearer for the press and Catholics who will follow the event. If after the third day no candidate reaches the minimum required, the Constitution establishes a 24 -hour break, which will be devoted “to prayer, the colloquium (…) and a brief spiritual exhortation.”

If there are seven other useless votes, another day break will be made. The last act of the conclave is the question three cardinals ask the elected, “Do you accept your election as a high pontiff?” After the affirmative answer, there is another question: “Quo nomine vis vocari?” (“How do you want to be called?”).

Smoke announces that new Pope was elected

Three cardinals are chosen to count the votes. The color of the smoke that will come out of the chimney announces to the world the result. Black, if there is no decision, and white, if a new Pope has been elected.

After being congratulated by the cardinals, the successor freely chooses his name. Following, the chosen one will go to a contiguous small room where they expect three papal habits (small, medium and large) to dress.

The place is called the “tear room”. It is explained: the elected, without exception, cry there in relative intimacy in the face of the magnitude of the responsibility they have just assumed.