by InTrieste
The Vatican announced on Monday that the papal conclave—one of the most solemn and secretive traditions of the Catholic Church—will begin on May 7 to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88.
The announcement comes just two days after Francis was laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore following a funeral attended by global dignitaries, clergy, and thousands of mourners. As the world bids farewell to the Argentine pontiff, attention now turns to the Sistine Chapel, where 135 eligible cardinal-electors will gather to choose the 267th pope and spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
A Globalized College of Cardinals
Of the 135 cardinal-electors—those under the age of 80 and therefore permitted to vote—108 were appointed by Pope Francis himself, many hailing from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The demographic shift reflects Francis’s commitment to a more global Church, one less Eurocentric in outlook and leadership.
There are currently 252 cardinals from 90 countries, but only those under 80 will take part in the conclave. Many of the men who will cast their votes have only recently met for the first time, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding who will emerge as the next pope.
Despite speculation and Vatican-watchers listing several high-profile papabili—or potential popes—the outcome remains entirely unpredictable. As one saying goes in the corridors of the Holy See: “He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal.”
Mourning Before Decision
Before the conclave can begin, the Church observes the Novemdiales, a nine-day period of mourning that formally began with Francis’s funeral. During this interregnum, the governance of the Vatican is handed to the Camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who oversees administrative duties until a new pope is elected.
Locked Doors, Silent Deliberations
When the cardinals enter the conclave next week, they will take up residence in the Casa Santa Marta, a modest guesthouse within Vatican City. From the moment the conclave begins, they are cut off entirely from the outside world: no phones, no newspapers, no television, and no internet. They are bound by oath to complete secrecy.
The word “conclave” itself is derived from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key”—a reference to the centuries-old tradition of locking the doors behind the cardinals to insulate them from outside influence.
Votes Under Michelangelo’s Gaze
As tradition dictates, voting will take place in the Sistine Chapel, beneath the gaze of Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes. The cardinals will vote four times each day—twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon—until one man receives a two-thirds majority.
At the conclusion of each voting session, ballots are burned in a special furnace. If no pope is elected, chemicals are added to produce black smoke, signaling to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square that deliberations continue. When a new pope is chosen, white smoke rises—sending a single, clear message: “Habemus Papam.” We have a pope.
As the world waits, speculation grows, but for now, only one thing is certain: the doors of the Sistine Chapel will close on May 7, and the eyes of the world will look skyward, toward the chimney above.
