La Stampa reported that Bergoglio was in close contention with Ratzinger during the election, until he made an emotional plea that the cardinals should not vote for him.

Four cardinals in the imperial interest voted for Cardinal Octavian, who assumed the name of Victor IV, but he was acknowledged only by the Germans.

Only cardinals under 80 years of age can vote for a pope; there are 117 of them now.

When all the cardinals have voted, the receptacle is shaken to mix the ballots.

Only cardinals under 80 can vote for pope, and there are 117 in that category.

If he should not wish to change his vote, the cardinal can vote "Nemini" ( "for no one" ).

At some conclaves prior to 1621, the cardinals verbally voted and sometimes stood in groups to facilitate counting the votes cast.

Past cardinals have often voted for someone radically different from the pope who appointed them.

On the fifth ballot, the cardinals, wishing to show a unified front, voted overwhelmingly in favor of Bergoglio, reportedly giving him more than 90 votes.

The cardinals have voted by telephone conference.