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The word conclave comes from two Latin words: cum (with) and clavis (key), and implies the fact that the cardinals are locked together in a room until a new pontiff has been chosen. In its present form the conclave dates from the end of the thirteenth century. Since the fourteenth century, elections have always been held in Rome (except in 1800, when Neapolitan troops occupying Rome forced the election to be held in Venice). Since 1846, the Sistine Chapel has always served as the location of the conclave.

Where do the Cardinals stay during the conclave?

During conclaves now, the Cardinals are allowed to stay in the hotel-like residence of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, which is just a short distance from the Sistine Chapel. (Formerly the cardinals stayed in a large room or several floors of the Vatican Palace that had been walled off, and the space divided into apartments. Each apartment had three or four small rooms or cells, in each of which are a crucifix, a bed, a table and a few chairs. Access to the conclave was free through one door only.) The Cardinals still will be prohibited from talking with anyone outside the conclave. They will not be allowed to watch television, read the newspaper or talk on the telephone. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure they are protected when they make the trip from the hotel to the Sistine Chapel and the conclave itself will be checked for listening devices.

How many votes are necessary to be elected Pope?

Balloting will take place inside the Sistine Chapel. There have been some changes to the balloting process over the centuries. In 1179 Pope Alexander III made it that a two thirds majority of the votes was needed in order to be elected pope. This rule stayed in effect until 1945 when Pope Pius XII changed it to two thirds plus one. Pope John Paul II made another change to this rule in his Universi Dominici Gregis in 1996. If after 30 elections have taken place and no one received two thirds of the vote a new pope can be elected by absolute majority, which is half of the votes plus one.

The color of the smoke : After each ballot has been counted they are burned in the stove. Onlookers await the smoke to come out of the chimney. If the smoke is black then a new pope has not been elected. If the smoke is white the election is over and a new pontiff has been chosen. Originally, damp straw was added to the fire to create dark smoke; now chemicals are used.

What happens right after a cardinal receives the amount of votes to be elected pope ?

Once a new Pontiff has been chosen, the Dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts the position and by what name he would like to be referred to. If he agrees he becomes the next Holy Roman Pontiff. Upon declaring his choice, he is taken into what has been nicknamed "the cry room" to don for the first time white cassock and zucchetto, or skull cap, of a pope. Once he is ready he will make his journey to the main balcony of the Vatican where he will deliver his apostolic blessing.

What has been the longest conclave?

The longest conclave in history was at Viterbo where Blessed Gregory X was elected in 1271. It had lasted two and a half years. An exasperated populace took the roof off the hall where the cardinals were holding their endless negotiations, and reduced the men to bread and water. After his election Gregory X introduced changes to speed up elections.

Who was the American Cardinal who missed not one but two papal conclaves in his life?

In 1914 Cardinal O’Connell of Boston sailed across the Atlantic only to arrive one hour after the cardinals had chosen Giacomo della Chiesa who took the name Benedict XV. Eight years later, O’Connell, sailing on the fastest boat of the time, arrived again after the election was over. Pius XI rushed to greet the frustrated American bishop and express his personal regrets along with his assurances that this would never happen again. Pius XI revised the regulations for the election of the pope.

John Paul II was the only Polish pope. Have there been other non-Italian popes?

58 popes have been non-Italian, including fifteen Greeks, fifteen Frenchmen, six Germans, and an Englishman.

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