Who
He leads the Catholic Church and lives in the Vatican
Who is the Pope
This is the official term for the gathering to elect a new pope
What is a conclave?
The most recent papal conclave took place in this year
2025
The Vatican is located entirely within this city.
Where is Rome?
This is why white smoke is used during a conclave.
Why is it to signal a new pope has been elected?
These men wear red and help elect the next pope
Who are the cardinals?
This small instrument is burned during conclaves to signal the result of a vote
What is a smoke signal (chimney/fumata)?
The Second most recent papal conclave took place in this year
When was 2013?
Where is Pope Leo XIV from?
United States (Chicago)
This is why cardinals are locked in during a conclave.
Why is it to prevent outside influence or interference?
He was elected pope in 2013 and is from Argentina
Who is Pope Francis?
The color of the smoke that signals a new pope has been chosen
What is white?
This year marked the transition from Pope Benedict XVI to Pope Francis.
When was 2013?
Where is Pope Benedict XVI from?
Argentina
This is why conclaves sometimes take several days.
Why is it because a two-thirds majority must be reached?
This pope was just elected last week
Who is Pope Leo XIV
This process requires a two-thirds majority vote to succeed
What is the election of a pope?
A new pope is chosen after this event.
When the previous pope dies or resigns.
This country has the most cardinals eligible to vote in conclaves.
This is why cardinals wear red.
Why to show they are willing to defend their faith, even to death.
This former pope resigned in 2013, the first to do so in almost 600 years
Who is Pope Benedict XVI?
This Latin phrase means “we have a pope” and is declared from the balcony after an election.
What is Habemus Papam?
This happens when the conclave vote does not pick a pope.
This famous chapel in the Vatican hosts the papal conclave.
Where is the Sistine Chapel?
This is why only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote in a conclave.
Why is it to ensure active and capable leadership in the decision-making?