Elections in Vatican City

Vatican City does not use a general public electoral system with a citizen voter register, constituencies, political-party ballots or public polling stations. The functional equivalent of a national election is the Conclave, the internal election of the Supreme Pontiff by the College of Cardinals. The Cardinal electors are the cardinals entitled to vote under the applicable rules. This election is primarily a canon-law act, but it also selects the future head of state of Vatican City. The period in which the papal office is vacant is called Sede Vacante, or Sede Apostolica vacante. During Sede Vacante, the College of Cardinals maintains institutional continuity, while General Congregations prepare the election and address urgent matters connected with the vacancy. After a Pope's death, the Novemdiales traditionally cover nine days of mourning. The Conclave normally waits 15 full days for absent Cardinal electors and must begin no later than 20 days after the vacancy; it may begin earlier if all eligible electors are present. A Cardinal elector who arrives late may participate until the election ends. Participation is generally required, except in cases such as illness or another serious impediment. Cardinals who reached their 80th birthday before the death or vacancy do not have the right to vote. The governing norm sets a limit of 120 Cardinal electors, although a 2025 declaration confirmed that the Supreme Pontiff may grant a dispensation allowing the College to exceed that number. Before entering the Conclave, electors swear to maintain secrecy. They stay at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, and communication with the outside world, media contact, recording and transmission technology are prohibited. External influence, vote promises, electoral agreements and a state veto are also prohibited. The Conclave takes place in Vatican City, principally in the Sistine Chapel. Voting occurs only per scrutinium, meaning by counted secret ballots. On the first day, the procession and oath may be followed by one ballot. On later days, the usual schedule is two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each elector writes a candidate's name by hand on a ballot marked “Eligo in Summum Pontificem”. Three scrutineers count and check the ballots, three Infirmarii collect ballots from electors who cannot attend the chapel, and three revisers verify the count; these roles are assigned by lot. A candidate needs at least two thirds of the ballots cast by the participating electors. If three days pass without a result, one day is set aside for prayer, reflection and discussion. Further voting can then be limited to the two leading candidates, while the two-thirds requirement remains. Ballots and notes are burned, and the result is sealed for archiving. The election becomes valid when the chosen candidate accepts it and selects a papal name. The result is then announced publicly. Under canon law, the new papal authority begins with legitimate acceptance and the required episcopal consecration under Canon 332 of the Codex Iuris Canonici, and Sede Vacante ends. The Legge Fondamentale dello Stato della Città del Vaticano dated 31 July 2026 confirms the Supreme Pontiff's status as sovereign with legislative, executive and judicial authority. It replaced the 13 May 2023 law with immediate effect. The Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the Governorate are therefore appointed bodies, not organs chosen in a public election. The Supreme Pontiff appoints the Commission's members, including its President, normally for five years. The President of the Commission also serves as President of the Governorate, and the Secretary General is appointed by the Supreme Pontiff for five years on the President's proposal. No direct public election of the Pope, the Commission, the Governorate President or other state organs has been identified. No public election fee or citizen registration process applies; the institutional costs of a Conclave concern accommodation, food, medical support and technical services and are handled internally.