Papal Conclave

The Papal Conclave is a gathering of cardinals from the Roman Catholic Church convened to elect a new pope. When a pope dies or resigns, the conclave is summoned, and the cardinals meet in a locked setting to discuss and vote for a successor. They use secret ballots, and a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected. Once a new pope is chosen, white smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel's chimney, signaling to the public that the election is complete. The new pope then addresses the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.