The Vatican has announced that the conclave to elect the next pope will commence on May 7, 2025, following the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. The decision was made during a closed-door meeting of cardinals at the Vatican, marking the first such gathering since the late pontiff’s funeral.
Approximately 135 cardinals under the age of 80 from around the world are eligible to participate in the election, which will take place in the Sistine Chapel. Preparations are underway, with the chapel already closed to tourists. Unlike previous conclaves in 2005 and 2013, which lasted only two days, this one may take longer due to many cardinals not knowing each other—an outcome of Francis’ diverse appointments, including cardinals from previously unrepresented countries like Myanmar, Haiti, and Rwanda.
The conclave will adhere to the procedures established by Pope John Paul II in the 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, later amended by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. Cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, with no access to external communication, and will cast ballots up to four times daily until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. If no pope is elected after 33 or 34 ballots, the process narrows to the two leading candidates, though a two-thirds majority remains required.
The outcome of each voting session is signaled to the public via smoke emitted from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke, accompanied by the ringing of St. Peter’s Basilica’s bells, signifies the election of a new pope.
The upcoming conclave is notable for its diverse composition; over 80% of the electors were appointed by Pope Francis, reflecting his emphasis on global representation. This diversity may influence the direction of the Church’s future leadership, balancing between continuing Francis’s reformist agenda and addressing calls for a return to traditional values.
