Conclave to Choose New Pope Begins as Cardinals Gather

VATICAN CITY — The conclave to select the next pope begins on May 7, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The 133 voting cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose a successor who will navigate the challenges of leading the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.

As the first pontiff from Latin America, Francis made significant changes, such as easing rules on annulments and allowing blessings for same-sex unions. However, some conservatives, including Cardinal Raymond Burke, criticized his approach, claiming it caused confusion and division within the Church.

During the conclave, cardinals will face a pivotal decision: whether to continue Francis’ inclusive mandate or revert to a more traditional papacy focused on doctrinal strictness. Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, believes the next pope is likely to be a compromise candidate. He anticipates “vigorous debate” regarding the Church’s stance on marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Vatican has outlined the schedule leading up to the election. On May 7, there will be a morning Mass, followed by the cardinals traveling to the Apostolic Palace for the conclave at 3:45 PM local time. The first vote is expected that evening, with the possibility of white smoke signaling a new pope as early as May 8, 2025, at 10:30 AM.

Leading candidates include Italian Cardinals Matteo Zuppi and Pietro Parolin, as well as Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines and Cardinal Peter Erdo from Hungary. The conclave marks a historic point, as it sees a significant decrease in the number of European cardinals, with more than 40% of the electors coming from non-European countries, including those with no previous papal representation.

Once a pope is elected, he will enter the “Room of Tears,” where he dons the white papal vestments for the first time. This conclave is particularly notable as it may reflect a broader church perspective, emphasizing inclusion and outreach to global communities.