From the voting of cardinal electors to the burning of ballots in a cast-iron stove dating back to 1939, here’s a look at what happens inside the Sistine Chapel during a papal election.

Electing a Pope wasn’t always the formal, ruled-based conclave we are familiar with today. Everything changed in 1271 after a papal election lasted almost three years.

Bishops praying before Our Lady | CBCEW The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales are meeting for their Spring plenary at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, …

The papal fisherman’s ring and lead seal are nulled during the 12th general congregation of the College of Cardinals on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

The day before the beginning of the Conclave, the twelfth and final General Congregation of Cardinals focuses on various qualities important for a future Pope, including being a shepherd, bridge builder, and promoter of reform.

Officials and staff involved in the upcoming Conclave take the oath of secrecy ensuring the integrity of the process to elect the new pontiff.

The Vatican’s Sistine Chapel has been set up to host 133 Cardinal electors for the upcoming conclave to elect the 267th Pope.

Pope Francis requests that his popemobile be turned into a health clinic for the children of Gaza.

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA …

On Sunday afternoon, 4 May, the Third Sunday of Easter, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presided over the ninth and final Novemdiale Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica in suffrage for Pope Francis, with the participation of the College of Cardinals. He recalled that Peter’s mission is love expressed through service to the Church and all humanity.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday in suffrage for Pope Francis, and recalls that mercy offers Christians the golden thread that unites our lives to one another and to Christ.

After funeral mass, Pope Francis’ mortal remains were carried through Rome to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he was laid to rest near the icon of Mary Salus Popoli Romani.

The Deed for the Pious Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis has been placed in his coffin, which was sealed in a solemn rite on the eve of his Requiem Mass.

In his homily at the Requiem Mass for Pope Francis, the Dean of the College of Cardinals recalls the highlights of his intense and prophetic 12 years of pontificate marked by his closeness to the people, especially the least and the last amongst us, and his deep love for the Church open to everyone.

Pope Francis’ coffin is sealed in a private ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica, after some 250,000 mourners had paid their respects.

Pope Francis’ coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite held in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, April 25, at 8:00 PM (Rome rime).

The death of a Pope marks the beginning of a series of events that lead to the eventual start of a conclave and election of a new Successor of St. Peter. We lay out in detail the events that lead to the election of a new Pope.

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will mark the beginning of an ancient tradition of holding nine consecutive days of mourning, which will be marked by Eucharistic celebrations held in suffrage for the late Pope.