Who is responsible for electing a new pope?

Answer 1

Immediately below the Pope in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church are the cardinals. The primary responsibility of a cardinal is to elect a new pope when a pope dies or abdicates the papacy.

However, they have many responsibilities.

Cardinals form the Roman Curia, which is a whole group of administrators (Cardinal Prefects) - something like cabinet members who assist the president or department ministers who assist the prime minister.

Answer 2

The people who elect the new pope, are called cardinals-electors. They may elect any Catholic, but they usually pick one of their own to be the pope. You need at least 2/3 of the votes to become the pope. They basically write down whom they wish to vote for on a paper ballot; the ballots are burnt after each election, of which there are two a day, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. If there is white smoke (the ballots are burnt by themselves), than there is a new pope, if a grey or black smoke (the ballots burnt with damp straw) there is no election, and the process must continue.

Answer 3

The College of Cardinals is appointed by the pope (or popes) over the years and they are responsible for electing the pope!