A conclave is a private meeting of a group of people, often used in the context of the Roman Catholic Church. During a conclave, cardinals gather to elect a new pope when the previous one has died or resigned. The process is shrouded in secrecy, and the cardinals are isolated from the outside world until a decision is made. The term "conclave" comes from the Latin phrase "cum clave," meaning "with a key," indicating that the cardinals are locked in until they reach a consensus. The election process involves voting, and once a candidate receives a two-thirds majority, they are declared the new pope.