The Vatican has confirmed that the 2025 papal conclave will officially begin on May 7, following the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away from a stroke and heart failure on Easter Monday. His simple burial at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore drew massive crowds, and attention has now turned to the process of selecting the next leader for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. The announcement came after approximately 180 cardinals gathered for their fifth General Congregation at the Vatican. Of these, just over 100 are eligible to vote, as only cardinals under the age of 80 participate in the conclave.
Preparations are underway for the solemn Mass Pro Eligendo Papa, after which the cardinal electors will proceed to the Sistine Chapel. There, they will swear an oath of secrecy, and with the proclamation of “extra omnes,” all non-electors must leave the chapel. The voting process will then commence. If no candidate secures a two-thirds majority, black smoke will rise from the chapel chimney; when a pope is elected, white smoke will signal the decision.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, acting as Camerlengo, is responsible for administering the Church’s temporal affairs during the sede vacante period. Cardinals Reinhard Marx, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Dominique Mamberti, elected during the congregations, assist him in preparing for the conclave. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that discussions during these sessions have focused on the Church’s future and the challenges it faces globally.
The College of Cardinals entering this conclave is notable for its strong connection to Francis. Of the 135 cardinal electors, Pope Francis appointed 108 during his 12-year papacy, meaning that 80% of the votes will be cast by prelates shaped by his vision. Susan Timoney of the Catholic University of America remarked that the upcoming conclave is “one of the most diverse that we’ve had in the history of the church,” a result of Francis’ focus on elevating cardinals from regions traditionally underrepresented.
Among the cardinal electors from Commonwealth countries are several significant figures. Peter Turkson from Ghana, Thomas Collins and Gérald Lacroix from Canada, Vincent Nichols from the United Kingdom, and John Dew from New Zealand will all participate. Other electors include John Ribat from Papua New Guinea, Antoine Kambanda from Rwanda, Stephen Brislin from South Africa, and Anthony Poola and Filipe Neri Ferrão from India. Michael Czerny, originally from the former Czechoslovakia but now a Canadian citizen, will also take part.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, once a powerful figure in the Vatican who was ordered by Pope Francis in 2020 to resign his privileges after becoming embroiled in a financial scandal, initially sought to participate. However, according to Italian media, Becciu withdrew his request on Monday. Discussions among the cardinals during the congregation reportedly did not reach a resolution regarding his status before his withdrawal.
As voting approaches, speculation has begun about possible successors, but no clear frontrunner has emerged, particularly given the increasingly global nature of the Church’s leadership.
Once a new pope is elected and accepts the office, he immediately assumes full and supreme authority over the Church. The announcement, “Habemus Papam,” will then be proclaimed from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the beginning of the new papacy.
