Who Is The Pope and How Is He Elected?
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and a tiny independent country inside Rome called Vatican City, the smallest country in the world
Have you wondered, “Who is the Pope?” This article will tell you all about the Pope. You will find out how many Popes there have been and how a Pope is elected. We explain everything in simple terms.
On the 21st of April 2025, the Pope (his name was Pope Francis) passed away, at the age of 88. His funeral was held on April 25, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, where thousands of people, including world leaders, gathered to say goodbye.
A new Pope will soon be elected. Pope Francis was the 266th pope of the Catholic Church and the first pope from South America (Argentina). His real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and he became pope in 2013. He was known for being kind, humble, and for caring about the poor, the environment, and peace. He often spoke about helping refugees and protecting the Earth.
A New Pope To Be Elected
Let’s first understand who the Pope is and the history of Popes.
Who is the Pope?
The Pope is the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, which includes about 1.4 billion Catholics! He is a spiritual teacher for Catholics and a symbol of unity for the Church. He leads prayers, appoints bishops and cardinals, and writes messages to guide Catholics.
Who Are Catholics?
Catholics are those Christians who believe in Jesus Christ and follow the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church is one of the oldest and largest groups of Christians in the world. There are many kinds of Christians (like Protestants, Orthodox, etc.), and Catholics are the biggest group, with about 1.4 billion followers worldwide.
What Do Catholics Believe?
They believe in one God.
They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to help and save people.
They believe in the Bible as their holy book.
They believe in being kind, forgiving others, and helping people in need.
They go to church for Mass (a special prayer and worship service).
They receive sacraments like baptism and communion, which are important religious ceremonies.
What Makes Catholics Special?
The Catholic Church is led by the Pope, who lives in Vatican City, a tiny country inside Rome, Italy.
Catholics believe the Pope is the spiritual head of the Church and helps guide people in faith, love, and peace.
The Catholic Church also has bishops, priests, and cardinals who help teach and care for the people.
Simply Put:
Catholics are Christians who follow the Catholic Church, the teachings of the Pope, and try to live lives full of faith, kindness, and service to others.
They follow the Christian religion and are part of the Catholic Church. They believe in Jesus Christ and follow the teachings of the Church, which the Pope leads.
The Catholic Church is the largest group of Christians in the world, with about 1.4 billion followers.
About the Pope
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and a tiny independent country inside Rome called Vatican City, the smallest country in the world at just 0.44 km² (less than half a square kilometre!)
He is often called the Holy Father or the Bishop of Rome. He is a religious leader for Catholics, guiding them in faith and morals.
He is a world leader and often speaks out on global issues like peace, helping the poor, and caring for the environment. For example, Pope Francis (who became Pope in 2013) was known for caring about migrants and the Earth.
The Pope’s importance can be seen when people worldwide pay attention to him. When a Pope holds ceremonies or travels, thousands come to see him. Even presidents and royalty attend major events with the Pope.
How Many Popes Have There Been?
There have been 266 Popes so far.
- The first pope was Saint Peter, who was one of Jesus Christ’s 12 apostles (followers).
- Catholics believe that Jesus chose Peter to be the leader of his followers, so Peter is called the first pope and the first Bishop of Rome.
- The current election, happening in 2025, is to choose the 267th pope, because Pope Francis, the 266th pope, passed away in April 2025.
Do Popes Always Stay Pope Until They Die?
- Most popes serve until their death.
- But a few rare times, a pope has resigned (stepped down) before dying.
- The most recent example was Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 because of his health.
- Before him, no pope had resigned for nearly 600 years!
Simply Put:
The Catholic Church has had 266 popes, from Saint Peter to Pope Francis.
Popes are seen as the successors of Saint Peter and the spiritual leaders of the Catholic Church.
The next Pope will be the 267th Pope.
Fun Facts About the Pope
Smallest Country, Big Role
The Pope lives in Vatican City, which (as we mentioned) is the smallest country on Earth. How small? The entire country is within the city of Rome in Italy. You can walk across it in minutes. Yet, the Pope leads the huge global Catholic Church from this tiny place.
“Pope” Means “Papa”:
The word Pope comes from a word meaning “father”. That’s why we call him the Holy Father – he is seen as the fatherly figure for Catholics. In many languages, the Pope is literally called Papa.
A 2000-Year History
Catholics consider the Apostle Saint Peter (one of Jesus’s closest followers) the first Pope, appointed by Jesus almost 2000 years ago. Since then, every Pope has been regarded as a successor to St. Peter. This unbroken line of popes over centuries is often called the “papacy.” Pope Francis was the 266th Pope in that long history!
The Pope’s Ring and Seal
Each Pope has a special gold ring called the Fisherman’s Ring (named after St. Peter, who was a fisherman). This ring and the Pope’s official seal are used to stamp important documents. Here’s the dramatic part – when a Pope dies, Vatican officials destroy the ring and seal. Why? It’s tradition (to mark the end of that Pope’s authority and to prevent forgeries of his seal). They take a small silver hammer and smash the ring – a centuries-old custom!
Swiss Guards
The Pope doesn’t have a typical army, but he is protected by the Swiss Guard, a group of soldiers from Switzerland who wear brightly colored, medieval-style uniforms. They’ve been guarding popes for over 500 years. Their funky blue, red, and yellow Renaissance outfits (designed by Michelangelo, according to legend) make them look like they stepped out of a history book – a very cool sight for visitors to the Vatican.
He Gets a New Name
When someone is elected Pope, he picks a new name to use for his reign. This is why we have names like Pope Francis (whose name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio). The new Pope chooses a papal name to honour a saint or a previous pope he admires. For instance, Pope Francis chose his name to honour Saint Francis of Assisi, known for his humility and care for the poor. Once chosen, people will call him “Pope [New Name]” from then on.
He Gets Three Sizes To Try On
Here’s a funny behind-the-scenes fact – when a new Pope is elected, he goes to a special room to wear his papal clothes for the first time. Because no one knows in advance who will be chosen (or how tall or short he might be), the Vatican tailors prepare three sets of white papal robes in small, medium, and large. The new Pope picks the set that fits, and the others return to storage. This room is nicknamed the “Room of Tears”
Popes Don’t Retire (Usually)
Normally, popes serve as Pope for their entire lives. It’s very rare for a Pope to resign. In fact, for about 600 years, no Pope stepped down on his own – until Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. Benedict XVI shocked everyone by retiring due to old age and health, becoming the first Pope to resign since the year 1415! That’s why it was such a historic moment when he resigned and Pope Francis was elected after him. This means it’s possible, though uncommon, to have a living former Pope and a current Pope at the same time (as happened from 2013 to 2022, when Benedict XVI passed away).
These fun facts show that the papacy (the office of the Pope) is surrounded by rich history, tradition, and even a bit of spectacle!
Can a woman be a Pope?
No, it’s not allowed.
In the Catholic Church, only men can become priests and bishops, and since the pope is always chosen from among the bishops or cardinals (who are bishops), a woman cannot be elected pope.
The Church teaches that this is because Jesus Christ chose only men as his twelve apostles (followers). The Catholic Church believes that it must continue this tradition, as Jesus set it, and does not have the authority to change it.
In 1994, Pope John Paul II clearly stated in an official letter (called Ordinatio Sacerdotalis) that the Church does not have the power to ordain women as priests. This is the main reason why women cannot be bishops, cardinals, or pope.
A Short History of the Papacy
The story of the papacy spans two millennia. According to Catholic tradition, it began with Saint Peter in the 1st century AD.
Peter was one of Jesus’s 12 apostles. Catholics believe that Jesus gave Peter a special role as leader of his followers after his death. They often point to a Bible verse where Jesus tells Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church,” as a sign that Peter was chosen to be the first head of the Church. Indeed, Saint Peter is considered the first Pope – the first Bishop of Rome. Every Pope since is thought to carry on that mission as the “Successor of St. Peter”.
Over the centuries, popes have not only guided people in faith but have also been important leaders in history, sometimes working with kings and rulers. In the Middle Ages, the pope was very powerful, but today the pope mainly gives spiritual guidance and speaks about peace, justice, and caring for the poor. The pope lives in Vatican City, a small independent country inside Rome, Italy, and continues to be a symbol of unity and leadership for Catholics all over the world.
How Is a New Pope Elected? (Step by Step)
When a Pope dies (or resigns), the Catholic Church has to choose a new leader. This isn’t like a public election with campaigns or TV debates. It’s a unique, centuries-old process carried out by the Pope’s top advisors, the cardinals – think of cardinals as top leaders of the Church.
The entire event is full of tradition and even a bit of mystery, and it’s often called a “conclave.” Conclave comes from Latin “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” because the cardinals are literally locked away until they make a decision! They don’t have any contact with the outside world, so they can focus on choosing the best new Pope.
A Step-by-Step Guide to A Pope’s Election
All the Cardinals Gather in Rome
Cardinals are senior leaders in the Catholic Church who help the pope and the Church make important decisions. You can think of them as the top advisors or the helpers of the Pope – the Pope appoints them. There are cardinals from all over the world (currently more than 90 countries).
However, only those cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote for a new Pope (they’re called cardinal electors). After a Pope dies or resigns, these cardinals travel to Rome. They first attend the Pope’s funeral (if he has died) and then hold meetings called general congregations to discuss the needs of the Church.
About 135 cardinals are eligible to vote in the election of the next Pope. They spend about 15 days in meetings and prayer preparing for the big decision (this waiting period also allows time for all cardinals worldwide to arrive in Rome).
The Conclave Begins in the Sistine Chapel
On the day the conclave starts, the cardinal electors gather for a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica called “Pro Eligendo Papa” (which is Latin for “for the election of the Pope”).
Then, in the afternoon, they go in silence to the Sistine Chapel, a beautiful chapel in the Vatican famous for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo. The Sistine Chapel is set up with rows of tables and chairs for each cardinal. Once inside, the cardinals swear an oath to follow the election rules and to maintain secrecy. At this point, an official command “Extra omnes!” is given, meaning “Everyone out!” – all persons not involved in the conclave must leave the chapel.
The great doors of the Sistine Chapel are then locked from the outside. The cardinals are now in complete isolation – no phones, no internet, no news from outside. They aren’t even allowed to talk to anyone except fellow cardinal electors. They take this secrecy very seriously: no newspapers, TV, or messages are permitted inside. The idea is to prevent any outside influence on their decision.
The cardinals even eat and sleep in a secure residence cut off from outsiders for the duration of the conclave.
Voting in Secret Ballots
Now the actual voting begins. All cardinals under 80 in the room can be voted on (including, technically, themselves, though usually votes revolve around a few candidates). The election is done by secret ballot. Each cardinal writes down one name whom he believes should be the next Pope.
They then approach an altar individually and place their folded ballot paper into a large chalice or urn. A candidate must get a two-thirds majority of the votes for a valid election. For example, if 135 cardinals are voting, someone would need 90 votes to become Pope. If no one gets two-thirds in a round, they will vote again. Usually, there are up to four votes per day: two in the morning, two in the afternoon (except on the very first day, when they might have only one vote in the evening).
After each voting round, the ballots are burned in a stove inside the Sistine Chapel. Special chemicals are mixed with the burning papers to send a signal out of the chimney on the chapel’s roof. (I will explain this a little below.)
The voting continues in rounds until someone gets the required two-thirds majority. This can take a while or happen quickly – it all depends on whether a consensus builds around one person. If days pass without a result, there are provisions for pause days of prayer and discussion.
Historically, some conclaves have dragged on, but in the last 100 years, most conclaves have lasted only 2–3 days.
Smoke Signals – Black or White
How do people outside know what’s happening?
This is one of the most famous traditions of a papal conclave. After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. If there is no new Pope yet, the Vatican staff add a chemical that produces black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. So black smoke means “nope, no pope yet.” But, if a Pope has been elected, chemicals are added to make the smoke burn white
White smoke means “Habemus Papam!” (Latin for “We have a Pope!”). Crowds in St. Peter’s Square and worldwide viewers watch that little chimney eagerly whenever a conclave is happening.
Black smoke plumes can happen a few times, signalling that voting is still going on, and no decision has been reached. But finally, when everyone sees white smoke coming out of the chimney, a huge cheer erupts – it’s the sign that a new Pope has been chosen! This smoke signal tradition is a sort of secret code to communicate with the outside world. It dates back many centuries and continues today (even though we have telephones and TV, the Church sticks to the old-school method, which certainly builds suspense).
We Have a New Pope!
Once a cardinal has the required two-thirds of the votes and is elected, the Dean of the Cardinals (the head cardinal) approaches him and asks“Do you accept your election as Supreme Pontiff?” If the cardinal says yes, he is officially the new Pope at that moment. (He could technically say no – it has happened, though very rarely. In such a case, the voting would resume with someone else.)
A New Name
If he accepts, the next question is: “What name will you take?” The new Pope chooses a papal name for himself (like “John Paul II” or “Francis”). This will be his name as Pope going forward. The cardinals then stop the voting process – the conclave is over. They all come forward to congratulate the new Pope and pledge their obedience to him, one by one. Meanwhile, outside, the white smoke is alerting the world. But the world still doesn’t know who was chosen, not until the next step.
Announcement and First Appearance
After a short time, the new Pope gets dressed in his new white papal robes (remember those three sizes prepared? They find the one that fits!). He also puts on a white skullcap called a zucchetto and red shoes. He then goes with the other cardinals to a special balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica that overlooks St. Peter’s Square.
At this point, a senior cardinal steps out onto the balcony first to make the big announcement. Addressing the crowd (and millions watching on TV), he declares in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” – which means “I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!”. He then says the new Pope’s chosen name (for example, “Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has taken the name Francis” in 2013). The crowd goes wild with cheers! A moment later, the new Pope comes out onto the balcony, appearing before the public for the first time as Pope.
This is a very emotional and historic scene each time it happens. The Pope usually greets the crowd, gives a short blessing called “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world), and thanks everyone. Often, he’ll ask the people to pray for him as he begins this huge responsibility. It’s a beautiful moment – many in the crowd cry tears of joy, bells ring all over Rome, and Catholics worldwide celebrate because a new spiritual leader has been chosen.
And that’s how a new Pope is elected!
The whole process – from the Pope’s passing to the announcement of a new Pope – usually takes a few weeks of preparation and a few days of actual conclave voting.
Frequently Asked Questions On How a New Pope is Chosen
Q: What is a conclave?
A. The conclave is a special gathering where Catholic leaders, called cardinals, come together to choose the next pPpe. They stay inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel and are not allowed to have contact with the outside world until they make the decision. The word conclave comes from Latin and means “with a key,” because they are literally locked in until they vote.
Q: Who are the cardinals?
A: Cardinals are senior leaders in the Catholic Church. Many of them run large church regions called dioceses or have important roles at the Vatican. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote for the next pope.
Q: What is the Sistine Chapel?
A: The Sistine Chapel is a famous church building inside the Vatican. It’s known for its beautiful ceiling, which was painted by Michelangelo. This is where the cardinals hold the voting during a conclave.
Q: How does the voting work?
A: Cardinals write down their choice for pope on paper ballots. To be chosen as pope, a person must get at least two-thirds of the votes. They keep voting—sometimes over several days—until someone reaches that number.
Q: What is the smoke signal all about?
A: After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. If no pope has been chosen, chemicals are added to make black smoke, which means “no decision yet.” When a new pope is elected, white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, announcing to the world, “We have a Pope!”
Q: What does “Habemus Papam” mean?
A: This is Latin for “We have a Pope!” It’s the phrase spoken when the decision is made. After the white smoke appears, the senior cardinal steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and says these words to the crowd.
Q: What happens after the Pope is chosen?
A: The new pope chooses a name that he will be known by as pope, like Pope Francis, Pope Benedict, etc. Then he puts on special white robes and comes out onto the balcony to greet the people and give his first blessing.
Q: Can anyone become a Pope?
A: Technically, any baptised Catholic man can be elected pope. But in real life, the cardinals almost always pick one of their own.
Q: Why is the process so secret?
A: The process is designed to keep the cardinals focused on prayer and discussion, without outside pressure. The idea is that they should be guided by their faith and by the Holy Spirit while making such an important choice.
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