Overview

• The conclave officially commenced on May 7, 2025, with 133 cardinal electors sequestered in the Sistine Chapel after a public mass at St. Peter's Basilica
• Cardinals took oaths of secrecy, surrendered electronic devices, and are voting under protocols designed to ensure confidentiality, including signal jammers and sealed entrances.
• The election requires a two-thirds majority, or at least 89 votes, to elect the next pope, with up to four voting rounds scheduled daily after the initial ballot.
• Observers are closely watching for smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black for inconclusive votes and white to signify a new pope has been chosen.
• This conclave reflects Pope Francis's legacy, with 80% of electors appointed by him, emphasizing global diversity and raising expectations for continuity of his reformist agenda.