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papal conclave
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Cardinals of the Catholic Church, dressed in red, sit at long tables in the Sistine Chapel during the 2005 papal election conclave, surrounded by ornate frescoed walls. Where do the cardinal electors come from?
How Is a Pope Elected?
The Western Schism and the Roman Catholic Church
Pope Francis: A Life in Pictures Certifying the pope's death German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger swings incense over the wooden coffin of Pope John Paul II, surrounded by cardinals in red vestments during the funeral mass in St. Peter's Square. Infographic featuring a central illustration of a pope, surrounded by labeled facts such as the total number of popes, most common papal names, oldest and youngest elected, longest and shortest reigns, number of popes made saints, official titles, and origins by country. Pope Francis, wearing white papal robes, addresses the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, surrounded by cardinals in red vestments.
How Pope Francis guided the Roman Catholic Church?
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conclave summary
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Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday
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papal conclave: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Added cross-references. Apr 07, 2026
Added a link to Leo XIV. May 08, 2025
Updated with the selection of Pope Leo XIV. May 08, 2025
Article updated. May 07, 2025
Added a definition of the term papabile. May 06, 2025
Media added. May 06, 2025
Added a question and answer about papal names. May 06, 2025
Added cross-reference to most-influential popes. Apr 24, 2025
Pope Francis papacy end date noted. Apr 21, 2025
Article revised and updated. Apr 08, 2025
Noted that the silver hammer is no longer used to confirm a pope's death. Added cross-references. May 16, 2024
Added media. Mar 28, 2024
Media added. Jan 30, 2024
Changed title from “conclave” to “papal conclave.” Jul 19, 2022
Invalidated site: "Inside the Vatican: National Geographic Goes Behind the Public Facade". Apr 07, 2020
Revised description of beginning date of conclave and noted that 2013 conclave began 12 days after abdication of Benedict XVI. Mar 15, 2013
Article revised and updated. Mar 07, 2013
Photograph of papal conclave (2005) added. Mar 07, 2013
Media added. Jul 15, 2009
Article revised and updated. Mar 12, 2008
Article revised and updated. Sep 27, 2007
Added new Web site: The Catholic Encyclopedia - Conclave. Sep 18, 2007
Article revised. May 12, 2005
Article revised. Apr 07, 2005
Article revised. Nov 10, 2000
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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