The Vatican has confirmed that 135 cardinals from around the world will gather in a secret conclave inside the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to elect the next pope following the death of Pope Francis.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Easter Monday, with his funeral drawing thousands to St. Peter’s Square last Saturday. While there is no set timeline for the election, recent conclaves in 2005 and 2013 each concluded within just two days.
Inside the Conclave: How Cardinals Choose the Next Pope
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni revealed that the process will begin with a solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica before the voting cardinals enter their complete isolation in the Sistine Chapel. The conclave’s strict rules prohibit any outside communication until a new pope is selected.
Voting begins with a single ballot on the first afternoon, followed by up to four daily votes until a candidate secures the required two-thirds majority. Cardinals mark their ballots with the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) alongside their chosen candidate’s name. If no decision is reached after three days, the cardinals may pause for a day of prayer and reflection.
The world will watch for the legendary smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney throughout the election process. Black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke announces that the Catholic Church has a new pope. This centuries-old tradition remains one of the most visually anticipated moments in modern papal transitions.
Pope Francis Laid to Rest as Rome Bids Farewell to Beloved Pontiff
The May conclave follows emotional farewell ceremonies for Pope Francis, whose funeral on Saturday attracted global leaders, royalty, and 140,000 mourners to Vatican City. The funeral Mass, led by 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, echoed across St. Peter’s Square despite interruptions from circling helicopters.
In a poignant procession, the late pope’s remains traveled past Rome’s historic landmarks – including the Colosseum and Roman Forum – before reaching their final resting place at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. Newly released images show Pope Francis’s tomb adorned with a single white rose and illuminated crucifix, marking the end of an era for the Catholic Church.
The upcoming election makes it the third papal conclave of the millennium, following the relatively swift elections of Pope Benedict XVI (2005) and Pope Francis (2013).
