Conclave to Elect New Pope Begins May 7

The Vatican has announced that a conclave to elect a new pope will begin on May 7, following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. Around 135 cardinals from worldwide will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secretive ballot, with no communication with the outside world until a new pope is elected. The cardinals will vote until a candidate achieves a two-thirds majority, with white smoke signaling the election of a new pope and black smoke indicating another round of voting.

Roman Catholic faithful are visiting Pope Francis' tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, a day after his funeral. Thousands have filed past the simple white tomb, with many crossing themselves or taking photos. Visitors have expressed emotions, gratitude, and anxiety about the future of the Church, as a conclave is set to take place between May 5 and May 10 to elect the next pope. About 135 Cardinals will meet ahead of the conclave to chart a way forward for the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church. A special Mass was celebrated in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, attended by an estimated 200,000 people, including many young people. Cardinals have begun discussing the qualities required for the next pope, with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx stating that the new pope must have a "universal vision."

The Sistine Chapel is set to close to the public from April 28, 2025, as it prepares for the conclave to elect a new pope, following the expected succession to Pope Francis on May 7, 2025. The chapel, the second most visited museum in the world, will be transformed for the secretive process, with the installation of a chimney to burn ballots and signal the outcome of the votes to the public through black or white smoke. The closure will also affect tours of the surrounding Vatican areas, including the archaeological area, Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis, and the Vatican Gardens. The Sistine Chapel has been the site of all conclaves since 1878 and is renowned for its stunning frescoes by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists.