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yesterday

Vatican Prepares for Conclave as Cardinals Set to Elect Pope Francis' Successor

With Pope Francis interred and global mourning ongoing, the Vatican is expected to announce the conclave start date, likely May 5 or 6, as speculation grows around frontrunner Pietro Parolin.

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Overview

  • Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at age 88, was laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore after a funeral attended by hundreds of state guests and hundreds of thousands of mourners.
  • The Vatican is finalizing preparations for the conclave, with an announcement on its start date expected soon; it is anticipated to begin on May 5 or 6 in the Sistine Chapel.
  • Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Vatican Secretary of State and close confidant of Francis, is widely viewed as the leading candidate to become the next pope.
  • Cardinal Reinhard Marx, while not a papal contender, is seen as an influential figure in shaping voting blocs and anticipates the conclave will conclude within a few days.
  • In Munich, the tiara was ceremonially removed from a Saint Peter statue, a traditional ritual marking the papal vacancy, as global mourning continues with tributes and services honoring Pope Francis' legacy.