The Vatican has announced that the Cardinals will begin the Conclave on May 7th, 2025, to elect a new Pope following the death of Pope Francis. 

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday and was buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome on Saturday.

The Conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which will be closed to visitors during the proceedings. 

Of the 252 cardinals in the Church, 135 under the age of 80 will serve as electors. 

A two-thirds majority is required to validly elect a new Pope. 

The cardinals will be isolated in the Vatican until a new Pope is elected.

The voting process will involve burning ballots after each vote, with black smoke signaling an inconclusive vote and white smoke indicating the election of a new Pope. 

The term conclave refers to the isolation of the cardinals during the election process, derived from the Latin phrase with key.

By Newsroom 

28th April 2025

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