Cardinals participate in General Congregation, ahead of the Conclave, at the Vatican, May 6, 2025. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS
May 6, 2025
The Catholic Church has commenced the papal conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month. The conclave formally began on Wednesday afternoon behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, with 133 cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote.
Most Geographically Diverse Conclave in Church History
This conclave is expected to be the most geographically diverse in the Church’s 2,000-year history, with participants representing 70 countries. Notably:
- Asia has 23 voting cardinals, many of whom plan to vote as a bloc, according to Japanese Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi.
- In contrast, the 53 cardinals from Europe are more likely to vote based on national or individual preferences.
“We Asians are probably more unanimous in supporting one or two candidates … we will see which name will come out as the leading candidate,” Kikuchi told La Repubblica.
Pre-Conclave Deliberations
Prior to entering seclusion, the cardinals held daily assemblies at the Vatican beginning April 22, during which they discussed:
- Global conflicts, including those in Ukraine, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
- The need for a permanent ceasefire and unconditional negotiations for peace.
- Desired characteristics in the next pontiff, with a focus on continuing Pope Francis’ legacy.
Cardinals emphasized values such as social justice, climate change action, mercy, and hope. French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco stated that the crowd of an estimated 400,000 who attended Francis’ funeral on April 26 was calling for “a pastor” as the next pope.
Open Race for Papacy
Despite some names being mentioned informally, the field is considered wide open. Several cardinals, including Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., have admitted to having no clear prediction about who will be elected.
“The conclave process is profound and mysterious,” McElroy said. “I can give you no insights into who is ahead.”
Voting Procedure and Security
The cardinals are staying in two Vatican guesthouses and are isolated from the outside world, as per tradition. All participants have sworn an oath of secrecy. The voting process will involve multiple ballots, and a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected pope.
Francis’ Legacy of Inclusion
One lasting impact of Pope Francis is evident in the composition of the conclave:
- He made a point of appointing cardinals from underrepresented nations, including Haiti, South Sudan, and Myanmar.
- His appointments have ensured a wider representation from the Global South and developing regions in papal decision-making.
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