The Vatican has announced that cardinals will meet in a secret conclave on 7 May to choose the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis at age 88 on Easter Monday.
Held behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel, the gathering will bring together 135 cardinals from around the world. Once inside, they are completely cut off from the outside world until a new pontiff is chosen.
The process starts with a solemn Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, followed by a single vote that afternoon. Up to four votes a day will follow, with a two-thirds majority required to elect the new pope.
Traditionally unpredictable, recent conclaves have wrapped up in just two days—but there’s no official timeline. As always, the world will watch for the signal: black smoke means no pope; white smoke means a new leader has been chosen.
