In a papal conclave, the winning candidate must receive a two‑thirds majority of the cardinal electors’ votes.

Basic number of votes needed

Because the rule is “two‑thirds of those voting,” the exact number depends on how many cardinal electors are present in that specific conclave.

  • If there are 120 electors, the threshold is 80 votes.
  • For the 2025 conclave scenario with 133 electors, the required minimum is 89 votes.
  • The moment one candidate reaches the two‑thirds threshold, the scrutiny stops and he is considered canonically elected, subject to his acceptance.

How many rounds can there be?

The conclave can involve many rounds (ballots) until someone reaches the two‑thirds majority.

  • Day 1: Usually one ballot in the afternoon.
  • From Day 2 onward: Up to two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon (maximum four per day).
  • If no one is elected after 21 ballots, the cardinals pause for prayer and discussion and then continue, still requiring two‑thirds and normally focusing on the top two candidates.

Quick illustration

Imagine there are 133 cardinal electors locked in the Sistine Chapel. Each writes a name on a ballot and places it in a chalice; if, when the votes are counted, one person has at least 89 votes, the white smoke goes up and you have a new pope.

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