Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church has entered a period known as sede vacante (“the seat being vacant”), during which preparations are underway to elect his successor. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square, after which the process to elect the next pope will commence.
Timeline for Electing the New Pope
According to Vatican protocols, the conclave to elect a new pope must begin between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death. This places the expected start of the conclave between May 6 and May 11, 2025. The exact date will be determined by the College of Cardinals during their general congregations, which are preparatory meetings held in the days following the funeral. The Journal+5Wikipedia+5Upr+5Latest news & breaking headlines
The Conclave Process
The conclave is a highly secretive and solemn event held in the Sistine Chapel. Only cardinal electors under the age of 80 are eligible to vote; currently, there are 135 such cardinals. During the conclave, the cardinals are sequestered from the outside world, residing in the Domus Sanctae Marthae within Vatican City. Latest news & breaking headlines+1ABC News+1Vanity Fair+5Upr+5Wikipedia+5
Voting occurs in multiple rounds each day, and a two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no candidate achieves this majority after several days, the cardinals may decide to proceed with a simple majority vote. Latest news & breaking headlines+1ABC News+1
Announcement of the New Pope
Once a new pope is elected, white smoke will rise from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the decision has been made. The senior cardinal deacon will then announce “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the new pope will appear to deliver his first blessing. ABC News
Context and Expectations
Pope Francis was known for his progressive stances on social issues, environmental advocacy, and efforts to make the Church more inclusive. His death has prompted discussions about the future direction of the Catholic Church. The upcoming conclave is seen as a pivotal moment, with potential candidates ranging from those who may continue Francis’s reforms to others who might adopt a more traditional approach. The Guardian+1AP News+1
In summary, while the exact date of the conclave has yet to be announced, it is expected to occur in early to mid-May 2025. The world will be watching closely as the College of Cardinals convenes to elect the 267th pope, a decision that will shape the future of the Catholic Church.
