When a Pope dies the "Camerlengo" (Cardinal that manages the Pope's secular affairs) seals the pope's dwelling place in the Vatican and prepares for his burial. At present, Spanish Cardinal Martinez Somalo is the "Camerlengo" for the Vatican.

Cardinals then gather at the Vatican to vote for the next Pope. This usually begins within 15 to 30 days after the death of the sitting Pope.

While the gathering and the voting process is taking place, the "College of Cardinals" carry the responsibility of running the day to day activities of the church. At present Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is the head of the college of Cardinals. He is also in the running for a possible

Out of the 180 Cardinals, only those under the age of 80 will participate in the election process.

They will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote by secret ballot as many times as is needed to come to a two thirds majority vote. After each vote, the ballots are burned with chemicals added to make the smoke rising from the Vatican either black or white. Black signifies a failed vote, white signifies a successful vote. If after 30 failed voting sessions they may opt to a simple majority.

It is believed that any Roman Catholic can be elected Pope, however, for centuries it has only been active Cardinals under the age of 80 that have been elected.

The voting process can last as little as one day, or as long as 54 days as it did in 1831. Once the Pope is elected, white smoke rises to alert the gather Catholics a new Pope has been elected.

Once a Pope is elected, a senior Cardinal shouts the words, "Habemus Papam!" (We have a pope!) from the Vatican balcony.