The papal conclave is a term that refers to the gathering of the Catholic Church's cardinals to elect a new pope. It is a major event that takes place whenever a pope dies or resigns, and it is also known as the conclave. Other synonyms for the term papal conclave include the College of Cardinals, papal election, papal succession, papal vacancy, and the papal seat. These terms are used interchangeably to depict the process of electing a new pope and signify the importance of the role of the cardinals in the Catholic Church's hierarchy. The conclave is a historic event that has its roots in the church's traditions and is widely followed by people around the world.