Vatican Confirms May 7th Start for Papal Conclave to Elect New Pope
The Vatican has confirmed that the papal conclave to elect the next pope will begin on May 7th. This follows the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21st at the age of 88. Approximately 135 cardinals, all under 80, will gather in the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes for the new leader of the Catholic Church. A special mass will be held at St. Peter's Basilica before the conclave begins, and cardinals will enter the chapel to vote in secret. The first round of voting will take place in the afternoon, with up to four votes held each day after the first day until a new pope is chosen.
The election of a new pope is a deeply secretive process, and the cardinals will have no contact with the outside world until a decision is made. A two-thirds majority is required for the election to be valid, and the process can take time, with cardinals voting multiple times each day. In the past, conclaves have lasted just a few days, but this one may be longer, as many of the cardinals appointed by Pope Francis have not met before.
During the cardinals' final meeting before the conclave, discussions touched on the challenges facing the Church, particularly its relationship with the world and the direction the new pope should take. The conclave's outcome is highly anticipated, especially as cardinals with different visions for the future of the Church are expected to play significant roles in the election.
