Vatican sets May 7 for conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor

Following Pope Francis' passing, the Vatican has announced a conclave. It will begin on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This conclave will elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Cardinals from around the world will gather in Rome. They will meet in the Sistine Chapel to choose the Church’s 267th pontiff. This task is significant for over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. The world is also watching closely as cultural and spiritual landscapes shift.

Pope Francis led the Church for 12 years. He focused on humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. His legacy will influence the cardinals’ discussions about the future of the Church. His death has sparked grief and urgent conversations about new challenges ahead.

The conclave will follow centuries-old traditions and remain confidential. Inside the Sistine Chapel, cardinal-electors will cast ballots in rounds. Their decision will be announced by smoke signals above Vatican City—black for no decision and white when a new pope is chosen.

This conclave marks the first since 2013. That year, Pope Francis was elected after Pope Benedict XVI's historic resignation. Benedict was the first pope to step down voluntarily in nearly 600 years.