THE VATICAN CONVENES at the Sistine Chapel the papal conclave 2025 between May 6 and 11 this year to choose the successor of the late Pope Francis, who died on April 21, or 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death. The next pope will lead 1.4 billion baptized Catholics of the world.
While the Vatican has not yet announced exactly when the actual conclave will begin. It could well be that as of this writing, a pope may have been chosen.
The very secret election process is expected to gather 252 of which 138 are eligible electors to vote for the successor to the throne of St. Peter, 108 of them —or 80 percent— appointed by Francis, has elicited an unexpected enthusiasm and interest the world over– regardless of faith and religion. Vatican rules state that only those under age 80 may take part in the secret ballot. Less than half are Europeans. Speculations border on an African or Asia-Pacific cardinal to be elected pope.
Four rounds of voting take place every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote, in a process that typically lasts around 15 to 20 days, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Favorites entering the conclave rarely emerge as Pope, which has spawned the Italian adage: “Enter the conclave as Pope and leave as a cardinal.” Of the last six conclaves only Pope Benedict XVI (Francis’ predecessor and stiff contender in 2007) emerged as Pope having entered as favorite.