JAKARTA Conclave 2025, the process of selecting a new Pope, officially began on Wednesday, May 7. A total of 133 cardinals under the age of 80 from various countries gather at the Vatican to elect Pope Francis' successor. Konclaf is known as one of the most closed and secret voting processes in the world.
During the conclave, cardinals are prohibited from communicating with the outside world. The conclave area is fully sterilized from wiretapping devices, phone signals, and blocked wireless connections with a dedicated signal distiller.
Each cardinal is asked to lay his hands on the Bible and swear to maintain the confidentiality of this process for life. A similar oath was also pronounced by Vatican staff such as doctors and servants involved in this process.
The konclaf starts at 16.30 p.m. Vatican time (about 19.30 p.m. local time). The cardinals gathered at the Paulus Chapel to pray before walking to the Sistina Chapel, the conclave venue that has been in use since 1858. There, they took the oath and handed over all electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches.
"There is no television, newspaper, or radio at the guesthouse during conclave. The window must also remain closed," said Monsignor Paolo de Nicolo, former head of Vatican papal affairs.
During the process, the cardinals stayed at Wisma Santa Marta and were prohibited from communicating with anyone. In just an emergency, such as medical needs or announcements of the Pope's election, communication is permitted.
The BBC reports that strict security is being implemented to ensure the concrete process is free from outside influences.
When the cardinals enter the Sistina Chapel, the Spouse Liturgy Expert will declare "Extra omnis", a sign for all who have no interest in leaving. After that, the cardinals received a ballot that reads *Eligo in Summum Pontifikem* (I chose ... to be the Pope) and wrote the candidate's name anonymously, then put it in the jar at the altar.
Nine cardinals are appointed to assist this process: three are tasked with counting votes, three are gathering votes from cardinals, and the other three match counting results.
To be elected as a Pope, a candidate must win two-thirds of the vote. If this is not achieved, the vote will be repeated four times a day. If up to 33 rounds there are no results, the election is limited to the top two candidates with themselves not allowed to vote.
The ballot is burned every time the voting is finished. Black smoke from the Sistina Chapel indicates that no Pope has been elected. On the other hand, white smoke indicates that a new Pope has been selected. White smoke is produced from burning ballots mixed with chemicals such as potassium chlorat, lactose, and chloroform.
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Once elected, the Pope will be asked if he accepts the position and the names of the papalities to be taken. He was then taken to "the Tear Room" to wear a papal robe "as such because many of the Popes cried in the room, realizing the severity of the responsibility that awaits.
After that, the new Pope will appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to give his first greeting and lead prayers for Catholics around the world.
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