Conclave to elect new Pope to begin on May 7th

The Cardinals present in Rome have agreed to begin the conclave to elect a new Pope on May 7th, 2025, Vatican News reported.

The conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which will remain closed to visitors during those days.

All election procedures take place exclusively in the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican Apostolic Palace, which remains completely sealed off until the election is concluded.

Throughout the election process, the Cardinal electors must refrain from sending letters or engaging in conversations, including phone calls, except in cases of extreme urgency.

After the votes are counted, all ballots are burned. If the ballot was inconclusive, a chimney positioned over the Sistine Chapel emits black smoke. If a Pope is elected, white smoke will billow out of the chimney.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21 at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest.