Breaking_News | Conclave to Elect New Pope Begins 7 May, Vatican Confirms…

The Vatican has announced that cardinals from around the world will gather in a secret conclave on 7 May to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

The closed-door proceedings will take place inside the Sistine Chapel, where approximately 135 cardinals will vote in strict seclusion, cut off from any outside communication until a new pontiff is chosen.

The conclave will begin with a solemn mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, after which the voting cardinals—those under the age of 80—will proceed to the Sistine Chapel to begin the sacred process of electing the 267th pope in Catholic history.

While there is no fixed duration for the conclave, historical precedent offers a guide: both the 2005 and 2013 conclaves concluded within two days. Still, the process could take longer, as a two-thirds majority is required for a candidate to be elected.

How the Election Works

Each cardinal casts their vote on a simple card inscribed in Latin: “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”), followed by the name of their chosen candidate. Only one round of voting occurs on the first afternoon, but subsequent days can include up to four ballots daily.

If no candidate has secured the required majority by the third day, the cardinals may take a day of prayer and reflection before resuming the vote.

Smoke Signals the World Watches

The world will watch the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel for a sign. Black smoke means no decision has been reached. When white smoke appears, the signal is clear: a new pope has been chosen.

Farewell to Pope Francis

On Saturday, Pope Francis was laid to rest following a solemn funeral in St. Peter’s Square, attended by global dignitaries, royalty, and tens of thousands of mourners. Hymns echoed across the Vatican, at times overtaken by the hum of helicopters above.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, delivered the homily, reflecting on the legacy of a pope who led the Church through an era marked by reform and humility.

After the ceremony, an estimated 140,000 people lined the streets of Rome to pay their final respects as the late pontiff’s coffin was carried in a white popemobile through the historic city. The route passed iconic landmarks including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Altare della Patria, on its way to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Pope Francis’ final resting place.

On Sunday, the Vatican released images of his tomb: a simple stone marked with his papal name, beneath a softly lit crucifix, and adorned with a single white rose—a poignant symbol of the humility with which he served.

What Comes Next?

As anticipation builds, the world asks:

• Who will be the next pope?

• How is a pope elected?

• Why is the conclave so unpredictable?

• What legacy does Pope Francis leave behind?

In the coming weeks, all eyes will turn once again to the Sistine Chapel, where history will unfold behind closed doors, and the world will wait—for the smoke.