Cardinals from around the world will gather in a secret conclave beginning May 7 to elect the next pope, the Vatican announced.
The closed-door meeting will take place inside the Sistine Chapel and involve approximately 135 cardinals. The conclave follows the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. His funeral was held on Saturday.
There is no set timeline for electing the next pontiff. However, recent conclaves in 2005 and 2013 lasted just two days.
Before the conclave, cardinals will participate in a solemn mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. Those eligible to vote will then gather in the Sistine Chapel, where they will be cut off from any outside communication until a new pope is chosen.
Voting procedures call for one round of voting on the first afternoon, followed by up to four rounds of voting each subsequent day. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the new pope.
If no candidate is chosen by the end of the third day, the cardinals may pause for a day of prayer and reflection before resuming voting.
Outside the Sistine Chapel, observers will watch for smoke signals emerging from the chapel’s chimney. Black smoke will indicate that no pope has been elected, while white smoke will signal that a new pope has been chosen.
Following Pope Francis’ death, many evangelical leaders have paid tribute to his legacy, expressing appreciation for his humility, emphasis on mercy, and care for the marginalized. At the same time, they have acknowledged continued differences with the Catholic Church on the authority of Scripture and key theological doctrines.
