In the wake of Pope Francis’ passing, the Vatican has set Wednesday, May 7, 2025, as the start date for the conclave that will elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinals from every corner of the globe will soon converge in Rome, where, under the hallowed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, they will undertake the sacred and historic duty of choosing the Church’s 267th pontiff.
The task before them carries immense weight, not just for the Catholic faithful—numbering over 1.3 billion worldwide—but also for a world watching closely amid shifting cultural and spiritual landscapes.
Pope Francis, who shepherded the Church for 12 years with a focus on humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue, leaves behind a legacy that will deeply inform the cardinals’ reflections.
His death has stirred not only grief but also urgent conversations about the future direction of the Church in an era marked by new challenges and opportunities.
In keeping with centuries-old tradition, the conclave will be held in strict confidentiality. Within the Sistine Chapel’s storied walls, the cardinal-electors will cast ballots in successive rounds, their decision signaled to the world by the now-familiar smoke rising above Vatican City—black for no decision, white when a new pope is chosen.
The Church has not witnessed a conclave since 2013, when Pope Francis was elected following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the first pontiff to step down voluntarily in nearly 600 years.
