US EditionCardinals locked inside Sistine Chapel as conclave begins
- On May 7, 2025, 133 Catholic cardinals gathered inside Vatican City and entered the Sistine Chapel to commence the conclave aimed at selecting the successor to Pope Francis.
- The conclave followed Pope Francis' death on April 21, 2025, and began after a traditional Holy Mass held at St. Peter’s Basilica the same day.
- The cardinals, representing 70 countries, will vote in secret ballots under Michelangelo's Last Judgement fresco until one candidate receives a required two-thirds majority of 89 votes.
- The senior cardinal presiding over the College of Cardinals called on members to move beyond personal biases and select a pope capable of uniting the Church’s diverse community during these challenging times.
- The voting could last several days as cardinals weigh continuing Francis’ progressive legacy against traditional approaches amid challenges facing the Church globally.
501 Articles
501 Articles
Francis is dead. Now a new head of the church is elected to the conclave. But what do the smoke signs mean?
Picking a New Pope: How the Selection Conclave Works
The Catholic College of Cardinals, convening in Rome on Wednesday, has begun its process of electing the next pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The electoral process, known as a conclave, will take place primarily in the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican City state. Only voting-age cardinals—those under the age of 80—take part in the election of the new pope, and the actual election process is closed to anyone not able to par…
The door to the Sistine Chapel is closed. The cardinals are among themselves, the first ballot is running. Is white smoke already rising from the chimney of the chapel today? Follow the live stream.
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