On which ballot of the May 2025 papal conclave was Robert Prevost elected pope?

The election of a new pontiff is a profound moment for the Catholic Church, and in May 2025, the College of Cardinals selected Robert Prevost as pope on the fourth ballot. This relatively swift decision reflects a significant degree of consensus among the cardinal electors who gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave, the secret process of choosing the Bishop of Rome. A fourth ballot election is often seen as an indication that a strong candidate emerged early in the deliberations.

During a papal conclave, only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to cast votes, and they do so in strict seclusion, a practice dating back to the 13th century when the term "conclave" (Latin for "with a key") originated. The cardinals meet daily, typically holding one ballot on the first afternoon, followed by two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon on subsequent days. A candidate must secure a two-thirds supermajority of the votes to be elected. After each set of ballots, the voting slips are burned; black smoke indicates no pope has been chosen, while white smoke signals a successful election.

Historically, papal elections have varied greatly in length, with some lasting for months or even years in earlier centuries. In modern times, conclaves tend to be much shorter, often concluding within a few days. For instance, Pope Benedict XVI was elected on the fourth ballot in 2005, and Pope Francis on the fifth ballot in 2013. An election on the fourth ballot, therefore, represents a relatively prompt conclusion, suggesting that the cardinal electors quickly coalesced around a candidate they believed was best suited to lead the Church.