By Our Reporter
Following the historic funeral of Pope Francis earlier today at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican has confirmed that preparations are underway for the election of his successor.
According to an official statement from the Holy See Press Office, the papal conclave — the secret meeting where the College of Cardinals selects a new pope — will commence in mid-May 2025. The Vatican emphasized that all eligible cardinals are expected to arrive in Rome within the next two weeks to participate in the process.
The conclave, held in the iconic Sistine Chapel, will begin shortly after the nine days of mourning (novemdiales) for Pope Francis have concluded, a tradition observed after the death of a pontiff. Officials indicated that the first ballots to elect the new pope could be cast around May 15, 2025, although the exact date will be formally declared after the General Congregations of the cardinals.
Once the conclave begins, the cardinals will vote up to four times daily — two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon — until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. When a new pope is elected, the Vatican will announce the result by releasing white smoke (fumata bianca) from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.
If the voting proceeds smoothly, as Vatican officials anticipate, the world could meet the new pope between May 15 and May 25, 2025.
In a brief address to the media, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni urged Catholics around the world to accompany the cardinals’ work with “prayer and reflection,” noting the significance of this moment in the life of the global Church.
“The process of choosing a new Holy Father is a solemn one, centered on spiritual discernment, unity, and service to humanity,” Bruni said.
Speculation has already begun within Catholic circles and the media about potential candidates, with attention focusing on cardinals from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, reflecting the Church’s increasingly global face.
As the faithful await the white smoke that will signal the beginning of a new papacy, Vatican City remains the focal point of global attention — a testament to the enduring significance of the Catholic Church in a rapidly changing world.
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