When a pope dies or resigns, all cardinals below the age of eighty assemble in the Vatican for a conclave. They choose a new pope from their ranks. Voting continues until someone has obtained at least two-thirds of the votes. He is asked whether he accepts the papacy and – if the answer is yes – which name he will adopt as pope.
White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicates that a new pope has been chosen. The pope is then presented on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the words “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”)
