As cardinals prepare to gather in the Sistine Chapel, anticipation builds for the upcoming conclave to elect the successor to the late Pope Francis, set to commence on May 7.
Conclave to Choose New Pope Scheduled for May 7, Following the Death of Francis
Conclave to Choose New Pope Scheduled for May 7, Following the Death of Francis
Vatican announces date for cardinal-electors to meet and begin the process of selecting a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church.
The Vatican has confirmed that the conclave to elect the next pope will commence on May 7. This announcement follows the death of Pope Francis last week at the age of 88. Over 130 cardinal-electors will participate in the secret ballot in the Sistine Chapel, as cardinals younger than 80 hold the voting rights in this pivotal election.
To successfully elect a new pope, a two-thirds majority vote is required, with current regulations stipulating that the conclave must begin between 15 to 20 days following the passing of a pope. For reference, the previous conclave resulted in Francis's election just two days after the ballots were cast.
In the heart of the Vatican, with cardinals from across the globe converging in Rome, preparations are underway. They have been engaging in meetings to discuss potential successors, marking the initial phases of this significant papal selection process. Observers of the conclave will closely monitor the iconic chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, as black smoke will signify a lack of consensus among cardinals, while white smoke will indicate that a new leader has been selected.
As the world watches the unfolding events in the Vatican, the anticipation surrounding the new pope's identity and potential direction for the Roman Catholic Church intensifies. Emma Bubola, a Times reporter based in Rome, covered this developing story.
