Following the death of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals has announced that the conclave to elect his successor will commence on May 7. Cardinals have been gathering in the Vatican to discuss the church's future and the qualities needed in the next pope. The conclave will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with approximately 135 cardinal electors participating. A two-thirds majority vote is required to elect the new pontiff, and anticipation is building for the selection of the 267th pope.
about 2 months ago
The conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis will commence on May 7, 2025 1 2 4 5 6 8 9. This date falls within the traditional 15-20 day window following the Pope's death, allowing time for mourning and the arrival of cardinal electors 1 2. In preparation for the conclave, cardinals have been participating in General Congregation meetings at the Vatican 1 4. These meetings provide a forum for open discussion, allowing cardinals to exchange views and identify potential candidates 3 12.
The College of Cardinals eligible to vote consists of 135 members under the age of 80 1 3 5 6. Pope Francis appointed 108 of these cardinal electors, reshaping the geographic makeup of the College 1. The college now includes representatives from countries with smaller Catholic populations and previously underrepresented regions 1. The diversity of the College of Cardinals is considered a richness and a wealth 7.
On the morning of May 7, the College of Cardinals will celebrate a Mass "Pro eligendo Pontifice" in St. Peter's Basilica 2. Following the Mass, the cardinals will process into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the "Veni Creator Spiritus," invoking the Holy Spirit's guidance 1 2. Inside the Sistine Chapel, each cardinal will take an oath to observe the procedures, maintain secrecy, and vote freely 1 8. A two-thirds majority, or 90 votes, is required to elect the new Pope 1. The world will watch for the traditional signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black smoke indicating an inconclusive ballot, white smoke announcing that a new pope has been elected 1.
Several articles mention potential candidates for the papacy 6 10. Some names include Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of France, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy 10. Other potential contenders are Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar, Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary, Cardinal Willem Eijk of the Netherlands, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, and Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik 10.
How does the Church define papal succession authority?
I can provide information regarding conclaves and papal elections based on Catholic teachings.
Here's what happens during a conclave to elect a new Pope:
The cardinals of the Holy Roman Church form a special college with the responsibility of electing the Roman Pontiff, according to specific laws . The College of Cardinals serves as the historical synodal council of the Bishop of Rome, assisting him in his ministry . The cardinals offer assistance to the Roman Pontiff both as a group, when called together to address important matters, and individually, through their various offices, especially in their daily concern for the universal Church .
During the time when there is no Pope, the College of Cardinals is entrusted with governing the Church, but only for handling routine matters and those that cannot be delayed . Their responsibilities include preparing for the election of the new Pope, acting within the limits defined by the relevant regulations . Anything that is reserved to the Roman Pontiff alone, either by law or custom, or that concerns the rules for the election of the new Pope, is excluded from their authority .
The conclave starts in the evening of the tenth day after the Pope's death, unless a different day has been decided . Precautions are taken to ensure that only those authorized are within the enclosure and to prevent unnecessary communication with the outside world .
All Cardinal electors who have been summoned to elect a new Pope by the Cardinal Dean, or another Cardinal in his name, are required to obey the convocation . They must proceed to the designated location unless prevented by illness or another serious impediment, which must be recognized as such by the College of Cardinals .
The location for the General Congregations of Cardinals is the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, but can be held in another suitable place if circumstances require . The Dean of the College presides over these Congregations, or, if he is absent or cannot attend, the Subdean . If neither the Dean nor the Subdean can participate in the election, the assembly of Cardinal electors will be presided over by the senior Cardinal elector, following the usual order of precedence . On the day after the conclave begins, all the cardinals will attend a Mass of the Holy Spirit and receive the Eucharist . Before the voting starts, they must swear an oath before the Gospels to elect the person they believe will benefit the universal Church spiritually and temporally and is suitable for such an important position .
The conclave concludes as soon as the newly elected Supreme Pontiff accepts the election, unless he decides otherwise .