Following Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26, 2025, which drew an estimated 400,000 mourners to the Vatican, the Catholic Church is preparing for a conclave to elect its next leader.
The cardinals’ meeting is scheduled for May 5 or 6 in the Sistine Chapel. 135 eligible electors will vote until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority, indicated by white smoke.
Cardinals from all over the world are meeting in Rome to prepare for the conclave that will elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died on Monday, aged 88.#VisionUpdates https://t.co/TNHk7Z0wVR
— The New Vision (@newvisionwire) April 27, 2025Francis, who passed away on April 21 at 88, was recognised as a reformer who advocated for the poor and migrants. His funeral in St. Peter’s Square and burial at Santa Maria Maggiore, his first burial location outside the Vatican in over a century, highlighted his global impact. Mourners, including Romina Cacciatore, an Argentinian residing in Italy, praised his compassionate approach while expressing concerns about the direction of his successor.
Cardinals electing Pope Francis's successor will have an easier time than many of their predecessors, who endured spartan conditions and were even locked up so long that some of them died. Here are some notable papal elections through the ages.https://t.co/ZlI4aa82Ev
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 27, 2025The Cardinals are scheduled to meet on April 28 to determine the date for the conclave. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a potential candidate, will lead a memorial mass during this meeting. Although Pope Francis appointed most electors, experts warn against assuming that the next pope will be similar to Francis, given the diversity of previous pontiffs. Mourners hope the next leader will continue Francis’s inclusive vision in the face of global challenges.
Read: Pope Francis, Reformist Leader of Catholic Church, Dies at 88
