Conclave to Select Next Pope Scheduled for 7 May, Vatican Announces

Starting on May 7, about 135 cardinals from around the world will meet in the Sistine Chapel in a cloistered conclave to choose the successor of Pope Francis, who died at 88 on Easter Monday. There is no fixed timeline for the election process, although previous conclaves in 2005 and 2013 concluded in just two days. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni noted that the election process will commence with a solemn mass at St Peter's Basilica, after which eligible cardinals will converge in the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes in secrecy.

Once inside, the cardinals will be isolated from external communication until a new pope is elected. The voting procedure entails one round on the first afternoon, followed by up to four ballots each day thereafter. A two-thirds majority is required for election, which may extend the process. If no decision emerges by the third day, the cardinals will pause for a prayer day. Observers worldwide will monitor the smoke signal from the chapel's chimney to determine the conclave's outcome—black smoke indicates further voting, while white smoke announces the election of a new pope.

Pope Francis’s funeral, attended by global political and royal figures, was a poignant farewell. Held in St Peter's Square on Saturday, the event drew enormous crowds as the late pope's coffin was processed through the streets of Rome, garnering cheers and tributes from thousands gathered.

As the election approaches, anticipation builds regarding who will be the next figure to lead the Catholic Church in a world witnessing rapid change.