On a recent episode of Morning Air, Glen Lewerenz welcomed Fr. Scott Pogatchnik from Minnesota to shed light on the Conclave process following the death of Pope Francis. With clarity and reverence, Fr. Scott outlined what happens next as the Church mourns, prepares, and prays.
Fr. Scott emphasized that the Church doesn’t rush into the election. First comes the Novemdiales—nine days of mourning to honor the late Holy Father. Only after this period will the wheels of the Conclave begin turning. While the precise start date hasn’t been set, historically, the Conclave begins 10–15 days after a pope’s passing.
Past Conclaves, such as those in 2005 and 2013, included cardinals from about 50 countries. This time, the number has nearly doubled—around 94 nations will be represented. Many cardinals have never met, which could extend the discernment process. “It’s not just about voting,” Fr. Scott explained. “It’s about listening and learning, guided by prayer.”
Approximately 138 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the next pope. The cardinals will cast ballots inside the Sistine Chapel—where phones and outside contact are forbidden—waiting for either black smoke (no pope) or white smoke (Habemus Papam!).
True to its name, once the Conclave begins, the doors close, and the cardinals are “locked in” until a new pope is chosen. In other words, there’s no real answer for how long the conclave will be. It could end very quickly, or it could be prolonged if the cardinals cannot reach an agreement or if no elected candidate accepts the papacy. The Church leans heavily on the Holy Spirit, and so must the faithful.
Fr. Scott concluded with the essential invitation to all Catholics: “This is led by the Holy Spirit… and that’s why we really do need to pray.”
As the College of Cardinals prepares, the whole Church watches, waits, and prays for Pope Francis, for his successor, and for the future of the Catholic Church.
Stay tuned to Relevant Radio and the Relevant Radio App for continued coverage and reflections on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. For more information on the conclave, sign up here to receive updates.
