The Vatican has confirmed that the conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis will commence on May 7, following the death of the revered pontiff at age 88 last week.
Conclave to Select Successor to Pope Francis Set to Begin on May 7
Conclave to Select Successor to Pope Francis Set to Begin on May 7
Cardinals gather in Vatican to prepare for the papal conclave following the death of Pope Francis, with over 130 eligible voters.
In the wake of Pope Francis's passing, the Vatican announced that the conclave to appoint his successor will initiate on May 7. Scores of cardinals, primarily those under the age of 80, are in Rome for this significant event. Out of 252 cardinals, over 130 are permitted to vote in the secret ballot. Achieving a two-thirds majority is crucial for the election of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
According to customary practice, the conclave must be held 15 to 20 days following the pope's death. The last conclave took place in 2013 when Pope Francis was elected in just two days. During the election process, onlookers will monitor a chimney on the Sistine Chapel; black smoke signals no consensus has been reached, while white smoke announces the election of a new pope.
As cardinals converge in Rome, they have been engaging in preliminary discussions, strategizing and gauging potential candidates. These meetings often lead to deeper negotiations regarding the selection of the next papal leader and reflect the evolving dynamics within the Church.
According to customary practice, the conclave must be held 15 to 20 days following the pope's death. The last conclave took place in 2013 when Pope Francis was elected in just two days. During the election process, onlookers will monitor a chimney on the Sistine Chapel; black smoke signals no consensus has been reached, while white smoke announces the election of a new pope.
As cardinals converge in Rome, they have been engaging in preliminary discussions, strategizing and gauging potential candidates. These meetings often lead to deeper negotiations regarding the selection of the next papal leader and reflect the evolving dynamics within the Church.
