Cardinals convene in Vatican: Search begins for Pope's successor
The conclave, during which the cardinal-electors will choose the successor to Francis, is set to begin on 7 May. The Sistine Chapel will be closed to visitors during this period.
Pope Francis passed away on 21 April 2025, and, according to canon law, the conclave must commence at least 15 days after his death. The cardinal-electors will assemble in the Sistine Chapel on 7 May 2025 to elect a new pope.
"The cardinals present in Rome made the decision on Monday during the fifth general congregation. The conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which will remain closed to visitors during these days," the Vatican has announced.
Initially, 135 cardinals from 71 countries were eligible to participate. However, cardinals Antonio Canizares Llovera from Spain and Vinko Puljić from Bosnia and Herzegovina have announced that they will not participate in the conclave due to health reasons. This decision reduces the number of cardinals participating in the election of the new pope to 133.
Conclave: How is a new pope elected?
Conclave (from Latin cum clave — "with a key") is the procedure for electing a new pope by the cardinals of the Catholic Church. Although today it is associated with a solemn ritual in the Sistine Chapel, its history is full of dramatic twists, political tensions, and reforms that have shaped the modern rules for electing the Bishop of Rome.
During the conclave, the cardinal-electors are isolated from the outside world. They are not allowed to use media, correspond, or communicate with people outside the Vatican. The process of electing a pope is strictly controlled, and all audiovisual equipment is prohibited. After each ballot that does not lead to a decision, the ballots are burned, and the smoke rising above the Sistine Chapel informs the world of the outcome.
