Conclave convenes on Wednesday – papal election begins on 7 May
The conclave to elect the 267th pope in the history of the Catholic Church will begin on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, shortly after the end of the Church’s nine-day mourning period (novemdiales). The exact date was decided by the College of Cardinals, currently gathered in Rome.
As tradition dictates, the conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel, which will be closed to the public for the duration of the election. On the morning of 7 May, the cardinal electors – that is, all cardinals under the age of 80 on the day the sede vacante began – will first celebrate Mass together, and then proceed in solemn procession to the chapel. A total of 133 cardinals are expected to take part in the election.
Upon entering the chapel, each cardinal takes an oath in which he promises to faithfully carry out the office of the successor of Peter, should he be elected pope. Each also vows to maintain absolute secrecy regarding all matters concerning the conclave for the rest of his life. After a brief spiritual meditation, all non-electors leave the chapel. The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies then commands all others to exit with the traditional words: “Extra omnes. Everyone out.” He then locks the chapel door with a key (cum clave). From this expression comes the word “conclave.”
During the conclave, the Apostolic Palace, where the Sistine Chapel is located, will be closed off. The cardinals are not allowed any contact with the outside world, except in case of emergency. They may not read newspapers, listen to the radio, or watch television.
First ballot on Wednesday afternoon
The first round of voting will take place on Wednesday afternoon. The work of the conclave will be led by the most senior cardinal bishop present – in this case, the former Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. After the first day, two ballots are held each morning and two in the afternoon. Each cardinal writes his chosen name on a special paper ballot and places it in the urn. The ballots are counted, and then burned in a special stove – once after the morning sessions and once after the afternoon sessions.
If no pope is elected, dark smoke – or at least smoke of a dark color – rises from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, visible from St Peter’s Square. Once the election is successful, white smoke rises from the chimney, announcing the new pope to the world. The bells of St Peter’s Basilica also ring out in celebration.
To be valid, a papal election requires a two-thirds majority: the same candidate must receive at least two-thirds of the votes. If no election has taken place after three full days, the conclave is suspended for one day of prayer, reflection, and informal discussion. This break would fall on Saturday, 10 May.
In 1978, Pope John Paul I was elected after 4 ballots, and Pope John Paul II after 8. In 2005, Benedict XVI was elected on the fourth ballot; in 2013, Pope Francis was elected after five ballots. Most popes in the modern era have been chosen on the second day of voting. However, the pace of earlier conclaves gives no reliable indication: the longest conclave of the modern era lasted a full 181 days, from February to August 1740. It ended with the election of Cardinal Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, who took the name Benedict XIV. In the final stages of the vote, 51 cardinals were present. Four cardinals died during the conclave.
Once the new pope has accepted the election, he chooses his papal name and immediately assumes full authority over the Catholic Church. All the other cardinals swear obedience to him, and he is vested in the white papal garments. Finally, on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, the senior cardinal deacon – Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti – steps forward and proclaims the famous words:
Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!
(“I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope!”)
The new pope, whose name has just been proclaimed, then steps out to give his first blessing to the people.
KATT / katolsk.no / Vatican News