What's happened
The papal conclave commenced on May 7, 2025, as 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. The first round of voting resulted in black smoke, indicating no consensus was reached. The conclave is expected to last several days, with speculation surrounding potential candidates.
What's behind the headline?
Key Dynamics of the Conclave
- Voting Process: The conclave allows for multiple rounds of voting, with the first day typically serving as a preliminary vote. The cardinals will vote up to four times daily until a candidate achieves the necessary majority.
- Candidates: Frontrunners include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, known as the 'Asian Francis.' The influence of the 'Bergoglian' faction, supporters of Pope Francis, will be crucial in determining the next pope.
- Secrecy and Tradition: The conclave's secrecy is paramount, with cardinals taking oaths to maintain confidentiality. The use of smoke signals to communicate results is a long-standing tradition, with black smoke indicating no decision has been made.
- Expectations: Given the recent history of quick conclaves, many anticipate a swift decision. However, the dynamics of this conclave, with many cardinals being new to the process, could lead to unexpected outcomes.
What the papers say
The New York Times reported on the atmosphere outside the Sistine Chapel, where thousands awaited news of the conclave's progress, highlighting the emotional investment of the public. The NY Post emphasized the historical context of the conclave, noting that recent conclaves have averaged just over three days. The Independent provided insights into the frontrunners and the potential influence of the Bergoglian faction, suggesting that the outcome may reflect the late pope's progressive policies. Al Jazeera and AP News detailed the voting process and the significance of the conclave, reinforcing the importance of secrecy and tradition in this pivotal moment for the Catholic Church.
How we got here
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, leading to a period of mourning and the subsequent organization of a conclave to elect his successor. The conclave is a centuries-old tradition where cardinals vote in secrecy until a new pope is chosen, requiring a two-thirds majority.
Go deeper
- What are the main candidates for the papacy?
- How does the voting process work in the conclave?
- What impact will the new pope have on the Catholic Church?
Common question
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What to Expect from the Upcoming Papal Conclave?
The papal conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis is set to begin on May 7, 2025. With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, many are eager to understand the process, the candidates, and the implications of this significant event in the Catholic Church. Below are some common questions and answers that will help you navigate this important moment in history.
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What Does the Election of Pope Leo XIV Mean for the Catholic Church?
The election of Pope Leo XIV marks a historic moment for the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes the first American pope. This pivotal event raises numerous questions about the future direction of the Church, the implications of having an American leader, and the significance of the conclave process itself. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this momentous occasion.
More on these topics
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Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope from outside Europe since the Syrian Gregory
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Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is the Holy See's independent city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. Vatican City became independent from Italy with the Lateran Treaty, and it is a distinct territory under "full ownership, exclusive domi
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Pietro Parolin is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church. A cardinal since February 2014, he has served as the Secretary of State since October 2013 and a member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers since July 2014.
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The Sistine Chapel ( SIST-een; Latin: Sacellum Sixtinum; Italian: Cappella Sistina [kapˈpɛlla siˈstiːna]) is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence in Vatican City. Originally known as the Cappella Magna ('Great Chapel'), it t
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The Catholic Church, sometimes referred to as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with approximately 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2018.
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Kevin Joseph Farrell KGCHS is an Irish-American prelate and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he was a former member of the Legion of Christ, and served as the seventh Bishop of Dallas, as well as the chancellor of the University
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Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church who has been the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples since December 8, 2019. He was the 32nd Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2019.
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Matteo Maria Zuppi is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who has been Archbishop of Bologna since 12 December 2015. He was an auxiliary bishop of Rome from 2012 to 2015.
Pope Francis raised him to the rank of cardinal on 5 October 2019.