The Vatican has confirmed that the conclave to elect a new pope will begin on 7 May, following the death of Pope Francis. The secretive meeting will take place inside the Sistine Chapel, involving about 135 cardinals from around the world. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, with his funeral held on the Saturday preceding the conclave.
There is no fixed timeline for the election, but past conclaves, including those in 2005 and 2013, only took two days. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the cardinals will attend a solemn mass at St. Peter’s Basilica before gathering for the voting process in the Sistine Chapel.
Once the conclave begins, the cardinals will have no communication with the outside world until a new pope is elected. The first day will feature a single round of voting, with subsequent days allowing up to four votes per day. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope, and depending on the number of votes, this could take time.
What Happens in a Conclave?
Each cardinal casts a ballot with the phrase, “I elect as Supreme Pontiff,” followed by the name of their chosen candidate. If no pope is chosen by the third day of voting, the cardinals may pause for a day of prayer. The world will be watching the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel for signs of progress: black smoke signals that voting continues, while white smoke means a new pope has been chosen.
The Funeral of Pope Francis
Pope Francis’ funeral, held on Saturday, was attended by politicians, royalty, and thousands of mourners in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, delivered a homily remembering the pope’s legacy. Following the ceremony, a procession took place through the streets of Rome, drawing an estimated 140,000 onlookers. The pope’s coffin was carried past iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia, finally arriving at his final resting place at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.
On Sunday, images of Pope Francis’s tomb were released, showing a single white rose placed on the stone bearing his name, illuminated by a solitary spotlight, a serene tribute to his time as pontiff.
