Pope Francis was elected on the fifth ballot during the 2013 conclave, securing the required two-thirds majority of at least 77 votes out of 115 cardinal electors.

Election Process Overview

The papal conclave follows strict rules under Universi Dominici Gregis. Cardinals vote in secret ballots up to four times daily (two in the morning, two in the afternoon) until a candidate reaches a two-thirds supermajority. Ballots are folded twice, inscribed with "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" ("I elect as Supreme Pontiff"), and cast into a chalice near Michelangelo's Last Judgment fresco.

  • Scrutineers' role : Three cardinals count ballots aloud; if the count mismatches voters, votes are burned without chemicals for black smoke (fumata nera).
  • Majority needed : For 115 electors, 77 votes minimum; black smoke signals no pope, white (fumata bianca) announces success.
  • Daily limit : After 33-34 unsuccessful ballots (~13 days), a runoff between top candidates may occur per Benedict XVI's rules.

Pope Francis's Specific Ballots

In March 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) triumphed swiftly amid a fragmented field. The first ballot saw votes scattered across 23 candidates, with top getters like Scola (Argentina's rival) at ~10+ votes.

Ballot| Key Developments| Votes for Francis (Est.)| Outcome
---|---|---|---
1st| Wide spread; 23 candidates| Low single digits| Black smoke 3
2nd| Consolidation begins| Rising support| Black smoke 1
3rd| Momentum builds| ~40-50? (speculative per trends)| Black smoke
4th| Surge toward majority| Near threshold| Black smoke
5th| Elected| ≥77 1| White smoke; Habemus Papam

This rapid outcome surprised many, as prior conclaves (e.g., Benedict XVI on 4th ballot) took longer. Francis's focus on reform and humility swayed moderates from European frontrunners.

Historical Context & Variations

  • 2013 specifics : 115 electors (under 80 years old); no runoff needed due to quick consensus.
  • Modern tweaks : Post-2005, two stoves ensure clear smoke signals; chemicals added for visibility.
  • Past examples : John Paul II needed 8 ballots (1978); some conclaves dragged 4+ days.

"Pope Francis received at least 77 of the 115 votes on the fifth ballot, during the second day of voting."

TL;DR : Five ballots total; elected on the fifth with 77+ votes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.