"I've heard the word 'conclave' used when they talk about choosing a new Pope. What exactly is that?"

That's a very interesting question! The term "conclave" refers to the special meeting where the cardinals of the Catholic Church gather to elect a new Pope. It's a process filled with history, tradition, and a bit of mystery!

Let's break it down. The word "conclave" itself comes from the Latin phrase cum clave, which means "with a key." This goes back to the early days when papal elections were sometimes held in less-than-ideal circumstances, and the cardinals were literally locked in a room to ensure they made a decision. Over time, even though the location and conditions have improved, this sense of seclusion and focus has remained a key part of the process.

So, who are these cardinals? In the Catholic Church, cardinals are high-ranking officials appointed by the Pope. They come from all over the world and represent different parts of the Church. When a Pope dies or resigns, a conclave is called, and those cardinals who are under 80 years old assemble in Vatican City to choose his successor.

The conclave usually takes place in the Sistine Chapel, a beautiful and iconic location. The cardinals meet, and after celebrating mass, they begin the important work of electing a new Pope.

The election itself is done by secret ballot. The cardinals write the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot and place it in a special urn. To be elected, a candidate needs to receive a two-thirds majority of the votes. If no one gets enough votes on the first ballot, they keep voting until someone does.

A key part of the conclave is its secrecy. The cardinals take an oath not to reveal anything about the discussions or the voting. This is to help them feel free to vote according to their conscience, without outside pressure.

You might have heard about "white smoke" and "black smoke" coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney. This is a traditional way of communicating the results of the voting to the outside world. After each ballot, the ballots are burned. If black smoke rises, it means no Pope has been elected. If white smoke appears, it's a sign of celebration – a new Pope has been chosen!

Once a Pope is elected and accepts the position, he's asked what name he will use as Pope. Then, he's presented to the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

The conclave is a really important event for the Catholic Church. It's a time of prayer, deliberation, and decision-making, as the cardinals seek divine guidance to choose the next leader of their faith.