The next pope will be the Catholic Church’s 267th leader.
Catholic cardinals are gathering at the Vatican to elect the successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Voting will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with ballots continuing in succession until any candidate secures two-thirds of the available votes.
If no clear choice has emerged after three days, balloting is suspended for 24 hours to allow cardinal electors time to reflect. Since 1831, no conclave has lasted more than four days.
The end of each round of balloting will be signaled by smoke emanating from a stovepipe chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke — fumata nera in Italian — indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke — fumata bianca — will signify that a new pope has been elected, as will the ringing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Sistine Chapel doors close as conclave begins
The master of ceremonies has called “extra omnes” — ordering all those who are not cardinal electors to exit the Sistine Chapel prior to the start of the conclave.
The door to the Sistine Chapel closed as the cardinals begin the process of choosing the new pope.
This week’s conclave is the most diverse in history
The conclave starting Wednesday is the most diverse in history, with cardinals coming from all over the world to elect the next pope.
Cardinal electors pray in the Sistine Chapel as the conclave to elect a new Pope starts in The Vatican, May 7, 2025.Vatican Media/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The majority of the cardinals are coming from Europe, including 17 electors from Italy, five from Spain and five from France.
There are 16 cardinal electors from North America, including 10 from the United States. Additionally, there are four from Central America, 17 from South America, 18 from Africa, 23 from Asia and four from Oceania.
Argentina, the home country of Pope Francis, has four cardinal electors.
Cardinals will be without cellphones for duration of conclave
The 133 voting cardinals have taken the oath of secrecy prior to the official start of the papal conclave, meaning they will be without modern technology for the days-long voting process to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Since recording technology of any kind is forbidden during the conclave, the cardinals’ cellphones have been taken away.
Faithful watch giant screen displaying images of the procession of cardinals to the Sistine chapel as the conclave to elect a new Pope starts, at St Peter’s Square in The Vatican, May 7, 2025.Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
The phones will not be returned until the new pope is elected.
Technicians also ensured that there are no secretly installed bugs or similar devices inside the Sistine Chapel or adjacent areas.
Cardinals take oath to ensure secrecy of conclave
The 133 cardinals line up to take an oath to ensure the secrecy of the conclave to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Each cardinal will place their hand on the Book of the Gospels to take the oath.
The oath promises to keep the secrecy of anything that relates to the election of the new pope. (ABC News)