Overview

• The conclave officially began on May 7, 2025, with cardinals gathering after the Mass 'pro eligendo pontifice' in St. Peter's Basilica.
• Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle are seen as leading contenders, though no clear consensus has emerged among electors.
• A two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, is required to elect the new pope, with up to four votes conducted daily until a decision is reached.
• The conclave is the most international in history, with 133 electors from 70 countries, reflecting Pope Francis's global appointments.
• Strict confidentiality measures, including confiscation of electronic devices and isolation within Vatican grounds, ensure the secrecy of the process.