The Vatican has announced that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor will commence on May 7.
Following Pope Francis’s death on April 21 at age 88, 135 eligible cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin the secretive election process. The conclave, steeped in centuries-old tradition, requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new pontiff.
Prior to the conclave, the cardinals will celebrate a “Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff” in St. Peter’s Basilica. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, they will take an oath of secrecy and proceed with up to four ballots daily until a new pope is chosen.
The election process is marked by the burning of ballots, with black smoke indicating no decision and white smoke signaling the selection of a new pope.
Pope Francis, known for his focus on the marginalized and church reform, was laid to rest on April 26 in a ceremony attended by approximately 400,000 mourners and over 130 global dignitaries.
As the Church prepares for this key moment, the world watches in anticipation of the announcement of the 267th pope.
