Vatican Conclave to Elect New Pope on 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. The conclave, involving around 135 cardinals from worldwide, will take place in the Sistine Chapel and will continue until a new pope is elected with a two-thirds majority. The cardinals will be isolated from the outside world during the conclave, and the outcome will be signaled by the color of smoke emitted from the chapel's chimney: black for an unsuccessful round of voting and white for the successful election of a new pope. Pope Francis's funeral was attended by numerous dignitaries and thousands of mourners, with a large procession through Rome.

The Roman Catholic faithful visited Pope Francis' tomb in Rome as the Catholic Church prepares for a conclave to elect the next pope. Thousands flocked to St. Mary Major Basilica to pay their respects, with many expressing emotion and gratitude for Francis' impact. Meanwhile, cardinals gathered to chart a way forward for the Church, with a conclave expected between May 5 and May 10.

The Sistine Chapel is set to close on April 28, 2025, as it prepares for the conclave to elect a new pope following the succession of Pope Francis. The chapel, the second most visited museum globally, will undergo preparations including the installation of a chimney for burning ballots. The conclave, scheduled for May 7, 2025, will see cardinals gather to elect a new pope, with the outcome signaled through smoke - black for no decision and white for a successful election. The chapel's closure will affect tourists, with tours of surrounding areas also suspended.