This photo taken and handout on May 6, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows the Sistine Chapel on the eve of the conclave in The Vatican. Vatican Media/AFP 

Cardinals will gather in conclave on Wednesday in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Here is a brief glossary of the event's key terms:

- Camerlengo: Between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of his successor, the cardinal camerlengo takes over the day-to-day running of the Vatican. Dublin-born Kevin Farrell, appointed by Pope Francis in 2019, is the current camerlengo.

- Candidates: There are no official candidates for pope and, in theory, any baptized male Catholic can be elected. But the last non-cardinal to be picked was Pope Urban VI in 1378.

- Conclave: From the Latin "cum" (with) and "clavis" (key), and meaning a "room that can be locked", this is the closed-door meeting in which cardinals elect the pope.

- Dean: The conclave is traditionally presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, a position currently held by the Italian Giovanni Battista Re. But as he is over 80 years old, the task falls to Pietro Parolin, who until the death of Pope Francis was secretary of state.

- Electors: Francis's successor will be elected by cardinals aged 80 or under, in accordance with rules laid down in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. A total of 135 were eligible but two will not be present, so the number gathering on Wednesday is 133.

History beckons as cardinals gather to elect new pope

- "Extra omnes": This Latin phrase meaning "everyone out" is used by the master of liturgical ceremonies to order all those not taking part in the conclave to leave the Sistine Chapel.

- Fisherman's ring: The pope's ring, used in the past to seal documents, is rendered unusable after a pontiff dies or resigns. After the election, the camerlengo places a new one on the new pope's finger.

- General congregations: These are meetings prior to the conclave, held behind closed doors, which allow the cardinals to get to know each other better, setting out challenges for the new pope and what attributes he needs.

- "Habemus Papam": Meaning "We have a pope" in Latin, this is the phrase with which the Church tells the world it has a new leader.

- Holy Spirit: Catholics believe that the pick of a new pope comes from the Holy Spirit, invoked by the cardinals as they enter the Sistine Chapel.

Papal conclave by the numbers

- Nomen: The name the newly elected pope chooses for himself, often in homage to a previous pontiff to whom he feels a close affinity. Jorge Bergoglio picked the name Francis as a tribute to St Francis of Assisi.

- Oath of secrecy: The vow taken by the cardinal electors, as well as by those who serve them during the conclave.

- Protodeacon: The cardinal who announces the name of the new pope from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The current protodeacon is Cardinal Dominique Mamberti.

- Room of Tears: The freshly elected pope shuts himself in a tiny room adjoining the Sistine Chapel, called the "Room of Tears", where he can give free rein to his emotions. It is also here where he dons the papal robes for the first time.

- Sistine Chapel: The 15th-century chapel decorated with Michelangelo's frescoes, where the conclave is held.

- Santa Marta guest house: This is where the cardinals stay during the conclave and where Pope Francis chose to live rather than in the papal apartments.

- Smoke: After voting, cardinals burn their ballots, sending up black smoke to signal no decision has been made or white smoke to show they have chosen a new pope.