The Vatican has announced that cardinals from around the world will gather next month for a closed-door conclave to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. The solemn assembly, set to begin on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel, will bring together approximately 135 cardinals to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 on Easter Monday. His funeral, held last Saturday, drew thousands of mourners, including world leaders and royalty, marking the end of an era for the Church.
The election process is steeped in tradition and secrecy. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals will be completely cut off from the outside world, with no communication permitted until a new pope is chosen. Voting will begin on the first afternoon, with up to four ballots cast each subsequent day. A two-thirds majority is required for a decision, a threshold that can take time—though recent conclaves in 2005 and 2013 concluded in just two days.
The world will watch for the famous smoke signals from the chapel’s chimney: black smoke means no decision has been reached, while white smoke announces the election of a new pontiff. If no consensus is reached by the third day, the cardinals may pause for prayer before resuming deliberations.
Meanwhile, images of Pope Francis’s final resting place at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica have been released, showing a simple white rose placed on his tombstone beneath a softly lit crucifix. As the Church prepares for this pivotal moment, the faithful await the next chapter in its long history.
