135 Cardinals to Vote as Conclave to Elect New Pope Begins May 7
Catholic Cardinals have decided that the conclave — the process of electing a new pope — will begin on May 7, 2025. The decision was made at the Fifth General Congregation, held on Monday morning in the Vatican’s Synod Hall.
The late Pope Francis died on Easter Monday and was buried on April 26 in a funeral that attracted 400,000 people to St. Peter’s Square, including world leaders and ordinary pilgrims.
According to Vatican News, the conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which will remain closed to visitors during the election period.
The process of selecting a new pope follows a centuries-old tradition rooted in secrecy and ritual. Out of the 252 cardinals, only 135 are eligible to vote in the conclave.
For details on how the process is conducted, click here.
