Conclave to Elect Successor to Pope Francis Set to Commence on 7 May

In a significant event for the Catholic Church, the Vatican has confirmed that a conclave will be held starting 7 May, where 135 cardinals will convene in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. This follows the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, with his funeral held recently in St Peter's Square, attended by dignitaries from around the globe. While the exact duration of the conclave remains uncertain, historical precedents suggest that previous elections in 2005 and 2013 were completed within two days.

Once the cardinals enter the chapel, they are forbidden from communicating with the outside world. The first voting session will occur on the afternoon of the conclave's initiation, with subsequent rounds occurring multiple times daily until a two-thirds majority is achieved. If three days pass without a decision, the cardinals will take a break for prayer. Throughout this process, the world will await visible signs from the chapel's chimney—black smoke indicating further voting is needed, and white smoke signalling the election of a new pope.

Pope Francis’ funeral was marked by a convergence of global leaders and an outpouring of public mourning, where Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re highlighted the pope’s impactful legacy amidst a chorus of hymns and a thrumming atmosphere in Rome. As the procession concluded, images of Francis's resting place emerged, featuring a solitary white rose and a crucifix, honoring the memory of a pontiff who left a profound imprint on the Church and the world.