Overview

• On May 6, 133 cardinal electors under age 80 completed their oaths of secrecy and entered seclusion in Vatican guesthouses ahead of the conclave's start.
• The conclave, beginning May 7 in the Sistine Chapel, will follow centuries-old rituals including secret ballots and smoke signals to communicate voting outcomes.
• A two-thirds majority is required to elect the next pope, with black smoke signaling no decision and white smoke announcing a successful election.
• This conclave is the most geographically diverse in the Catholic Church’s history, with cardinals from 70 countries, reflecting Pope Francis’ global appointments.
• Key candidates for the papacy include Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, though the outcome remains unpredictable.