Overview

• The Vatican announced that the conclave to elect the next pope will commence on May 7, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
• The election will take place in the sealed Sistine Chapel, with 135 cardinal-electors under the age of 80 eligible to vote.
• Pope Francis, who appointed 108 of the electors, significantly shifted the College of Cardinals' demographics toward Asia and the Global South.
• Leading candidates, or papabili, include Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson.
• The conclave follows centuries-old traditions, requiring a two-thirds majority for election, with results signaled by white or black smoke rising from the chapel.