Vatican to Begin Conclave on May 7 to Elect New Pope Following Pope Francis’ Death

The Vatican has officially announced that the conclave to elect a new pope will begin on May 7, marking a crucial moment for the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis.

The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on April 21, and his funeral, attended by an estimated 400,000 mourners, was held two days before the announcement.

In accordance with Catholic tradition, the Church’s 252 cardinals were summoned back to Rome. However, only 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the secretive election process that will determine the next spiritual leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The voting will take place in the iconic Sistine Chapel, under the breathtaking frescoes painted by Michelangelo in the 16th century. The Vatican has already closed the chapel to the public to begin the sacred preparations.

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Over the past week, the cardinals have held four general congregations—important meetings allowing them to become better acquainted, especially since many hail from diverse regions and may not know each other well.

According to Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, 83, there is a “beautiful, fraternal atmosphere” among the cardinals, although he acknowledged the challenges posed by the record number of electors.

“Of course, there may be some difficulties because the voters have never been so numerous and not everyone knows each other,” Bassetti shared with Corriere della Sera.

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At this stage, there are no clear frontrunners for the papacy. Spanish Cardinal Jose Cobo noted in an interview with El Pais that, much like Francis’ unexpected election, this conclave is likely to produce surprises.

“I believe that if Francis has been the pope of surprises, this conclave will be too, as it is not at all predictable,” Cobo said.

The voting procedure is deeply rooted in centuries-old rituals. There are four rounds of voting each day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. A candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected pope, a process that could take several days or even longer, depending on consensus among the cardinals.

Notably, fewer than half of the voting cardinals are European, reflecting the Church’s growing global diversity.

Pope Francis, known as the “Pope of the Poor”, requested a simple burial. In a significant departure from tradition, he was laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, outside the Vatican walls, a choice that resonates with his humble persona. On Sunday, approximately 70,000 pilgrims visited his marble tomb to pay their final respects.

As the Catholic world awaits the selection of its new leader, all eyes will turn to the Sistine Chapel on May 7, anticipating a decision that could shape the future of the Church for years to come.