Vatican Conclave Will Begin May 7 to Elect New Pope/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Catholic cardinals will begin the conclave to elect a new pope on May 7, following Pope Francis’ death. Extra time was granted for cardinals to build consensus before the secret vote. Preparations at the Vatican, including closing the Sistine Chapel, are underway.
Conclave to Elect New Pope Set for May 7: Quick Looks
- Cardinals set May 7 for the start of the papal conclave.
- Meetings focus on unity and familiarity among 135 eligible electors.
- Sistine Chapel closed to tourists as preparations for voting begin.
- Cardinals debate continuing Francis’ reforms versus returning to doctrinal focus.
- Uncertainty remains about Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s voting eligibility.
- African cardinals could influence voting against progressive candidates.
- Litany of Saints and secrecy rituals to mark the conclave’s start.
- New pope will shape direction for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
Vatican Conclave Will Begin May 7 to Elect New Pope
Deep Look
Cardinals Set May 7 Start Date for Conclave to Elect New Pope
VATICAN CITY — Catholic cardinals have agreed to begin the secret conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis on May 7, providing extra time for informal meetings to foster consensus before the formal voting begins inside the Sistine Chapel.
Following Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, cardinals from around the world gathered in Vatican City to discuss the future of the church. Reporters, jostling for information, peppered the arriving cardinals with questions about unity, voting procedures, and potential candidates.
Argentine Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi, a Francis appointee, expressed optimism, saying there was “hope for unity.” However, underlying tensions remain, as more conservative factions aim to steer the church back toward traditional doctrinal priorities rather than continuing Francis’ outreach-oriented reforms.
Cardinal Electors: A Global Gathering
The 135 cardinals eligible to vote — most appointed by Francis — include representatives from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions previously underrepresented in Vatican leadership. British Cardinal Vincent Nichols emphasized the need for unity, calling it central to the next pope’s role.
Still, familiarity is limited. Many cardinals, appointed in recent years, have had little prior interaction. Cardinal Nichols admitted many cardinals are meeting for the first time during these pre-conclave sessions.
While the majority of electors are under 80 and eligible to vote, health concerns have already sidelined at least one Spanish cardinal. Another point of contention is the eligibility of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, convicted of financial crimes in 2023. Although officially listed as a non-elector, Becciu insists he retains his voting rights, prompting a close examination of conclave rules.
Potential Candidates and Global Dynamics
The conclave is shaping up to be a contest between those wishing to continue Francis’ vision and those seeking a more conservative, doctrinal pope akin to St. John Paul II or Benedict XVI. Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, often cited as a leading contender, remained noncommittal when questioned, joking that he was “holding his breath” ahead of the process.
African cardinals could play a decisive role. Last year, African bishops collectively rejected Francis’ directive allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, signaling strong resistance to progressive changes. Nigerian Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, though too old to vote, emphasized the seriousness of the task: “We have come to get a pope out, not for a political rally.”
Latin American and Asian cardinals also bring influential voices. Indian Cardinal Anthony Poola praised the spirit of unity among electors, though he acknowledged the unpredictable nature of conclave politics. Argentine Cardinal Rossi reflected on Francis’ legacy of “mercy, charity, and faith,” while admitting he was “afraid” to participate in his first conclave.
The Sistine Chapel: Preparing for Secrecy
As preparations intensify, the Vatican has closed the Sistine Chapel to tourists to make way for the conclave. Workers have installed the famous chimney that will emit black or white smoke to signal the outcome of each voting round.
Visitors who managed to enter the Sistine Chapel on its final open day described the experience as unforgettable, aware that the space would soon be transformed into the center of Catholic decision-making.
According to church law, the conclave can only begin after a nine-day mourning period. Cardinals will enter the chapel, chant the Litany of Saints, and swear an oath of secrecy before voting begins. The doors will be locked with the command “Extra omnes” (“Everyone out”) to protect the sacred proceedings from external influence.
Awaiting the Signal
The world will watch the Vatican’s chimney closely. Black smoke means no pope has been chosen; white smoke, accompanied by the tolling of bells, will announce that a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church has been selected.
This next pope’s approach could either extend Pope Francis’ focus on marginalized communities and environmental stewardship or pivot toward a renewed emphasis on doctrine and traditionalism.
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