ABC News Coverage of Papal Conclave Begins May 7 from Vatican

Vatican City, Vatican City – ABC News is set to provide extensive coverage of the papal conclave, starting Wednesday, May 7, at 10 a.m. EDT. Anchored by David Muir, the network will offer live updates as the Cardinals elect the next pope, the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

Muir will be joined by a team of correspondents, including Linsey Davis, James Longman, Terry Moran, and others. They will report from the Vatican as the conclave takes place, with special emphasis on the voting sessions and the smoke signals indicating whether a new pope has been elected.

In preparation, Cardinals participated in a final mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, where a senior cardinal emphasized the need for unity in diversity. The conclave began at approximately 10:45 a.m. CT. Each voting session will produce either black smoke, indicating no pope was chosen, or white smoke, signifying a new pope.

“That first ballot is so significant because then you see who are the leaders,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York. The voting will occur multiple times a day, with each cardinal casting their ballot in front of Michelangelo‘s famed ‘Last Judgment’ painting.

Experts expect a decision on the new pope within two days, although no pope has been chosen on the first day of a conclave for many years. Speculation also surrounds whether the next pope will adopt a progressive approach like Pope Francis or lean more conservative.

ABC News will also broadcast segments dedicated to the conclave on various programs, providing detailed insights into the election process and the historical significance surrounding the event.