Who will be the Next Pope? How is a New Pope Elected in the Conclave - Cardinal Electors and Leading Papabile Contenders Explained - Q + A


The Next Conclave: Cardinals Prepare to Elect a New Pope Following the Death of Pope Francis

Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Roman Catholic Church now turns its eyes toward the College of Cardinals, who will soon gather in solemn secrecy to elect the next pope.  UPDATED Conclave Date is May 7th, 2025. This historic moment marks the beginning of the sede vacante ("vacant seat") period and initiates the sacred and secretive process known as the conclave. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who chooses the next pope; which is why it is crucial that the faithful pray.

A prayer provided by the Knights of Columbus that is suitable for this period:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church, we thank you for the ministry of Pope Francis and the selfless care with which he has led us as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth. Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church on the rock of Peter’s faith and have never left Your flock untended, look with love upon us now, and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity. Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us, a new Pope for Your Church who will please You by his holiness and lead us faithfully to You, who are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. (Include an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be)

How is a New Pope Elected? 

New pope's are elected in the conclave, which literally means "with a key" in Latin, is the process of election. It takes place in strict isolation to prevent any external influence. Since 1878, all papal conclaves have been held in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Before the conclave, the cardinals hold a series of meetings called General Congregations. All cardinals, including those over 80 who cannot vote, participate in these discussions. They address the current state of the Church, discuss the qualities needed in the next Pope, and make practical arrangements for the conclave, such as setting the date.  

Entry into the Conclave: On the appointed day, the cardinal electors participate in a solemn Mass in St. Peter's Basilica invoking the Holy Spirit. In the afternoon, they process into the Sistine Chapel.  

Oath of Secrecy: Once inside, all individuals other than the cardinal electors and a few essential personnel (masters of ceremonies, medical staff, etc.) are asked to leave, with the traditional call "Extra omnes" ("Everyone out"). The doors are then locked, and the cardinals take a solemn oath to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the proceedings. Any breach of this secrecy incurs automatic excommunication. The chapel is checked for any recording devices or means of communication with the outside world.
Who Can Become Pope?

Eligibility for Pope: Canon law states that any baptized male Catholic can be elected Pope. However, since 1378, every Pope elected has been a cardinal. The College of Cardinals typically chooses one of its own members.

When Will the Conclave Begin?

According to Church law, a conclave must begin no sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the pope's death. Therefore, the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025. Sources suggest May 7 as a probable start date, allowing time for all eligible cardinals to arrive in Rome and for the nine days of mourning (novemdiales) to be observed.
UDATE May 7, 2025 is the chosen start date of the Papal Conclave as released by the Vatican.

Who Are the Cardinal Electors?

As of April 23 2025, there are 252 cardinals and 135 (133) cardinal electors—cardinals under the age of 80—eligible to vote. However, 2 cardinals have declined to attend due to their health. UPDATE Originally Cardinal Vinko Puljic, had decided not to attend, the 79-year-old archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina - but upon receiving clearance from his physician, he now plans to participate. Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, archbishop emeritus of Valencia, Spain will not attend due to health reasons. Also, Cardinal John Njue of Kenya, (age 79) Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, will not attend due to health reasons.

These princes of the Church represent every continent and a wide range of pastoral and curial experiences. Here’s a regional breakdown (from the latest Pew Research):

    • Asia-Pacific region accounts for 18% of voting-age cardinals, up from 10% in 2013.
    • Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 12% of cardinals, up from 8%.
    • The Latin America-Caribbean region has 18%, up from 17%.
    • The Middle East-North Africa region has 3%, up from 2%.
    • Europe has 40%, down from 51%. 
    • North America accounts for 10%, down from 12%.

Some prominent names include:

  • Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy) – President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and a strong advocate for peace and social justice.

  • Cardinal Pietro Parolin, (Italy) age 70, served as Francis' longtime secretary of state who has served his entire vocation in the Vatican's diplomatic service. 

  • Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) – age 67, Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, well-respected across Asia and beyond.

  • Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, age 65, from the Congo, Africa, Archbishop of Kinshasa for seven years, and was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis.

  • Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, (Korea) age 73, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Daejeon, was born on 17 November 1951 and ordained a priest for the diocese of Daejeon.

  • Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, age 76, Ordained to the priesthood of the Salesians of St. John Bosco in 1976, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, has been archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, for over two decades. Created a cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of February 2015

  • Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, age 59, a Fransican friar, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. He has a vast knowledge of the Middle East

  • Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary) – age 72 - A seasoned theologian and canon law expert.

  • Cardinal Robert Prevost (USA) –  age 69 - Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo, was born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago (Illinois, United States).

  • Cardinal Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão, (India) age 72, is the Archbishop of Goa and Daman and seventh Patriarch of the East Indies. Born on 20 January 1953 in Aldona village in North Goa district, he completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Papal Seminary in Pune.

  • Leading Papabile: Who Might Be the Next Pope?

Among the leading papabili—those considered serious contenders —are (this is not an exhaustive list - there are more who are favorites not listed here) :

  • Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) – Seen as a favorite due to his charisma, theological depth, and international appeal.

  • Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy) – age 69 - Often dubbed a “Francis 2.0,” he is admired for his pastoral warmth and ecumenical work.

  • Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (Ghana) – (age 76), he could emerge as a unifying choice from Africa.

  • Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France) – (age 66) A newer cardinal known for interreligious dialogue and a commitment to the Church’s presence in secular Europe.

How Long Will the Conclave Last?

Recent conclaves have varied in length, but most modern elections last only a few days. Pope Francis was elected on the second day of the 2013 conclave. Given the extensive pre-conclave discussions and the existence of several leading choices, many expect this conclave to take two to four days.

The Rituals: Why White Smoke and Secrecy?

The conclave is held in the Sistine Chapel under strict secrecy. All cardinal electors take an oath of secrecy, swearing never to reveal anything about the voting or deliberations under pain of excommunication.

The world waits outside, watching the small chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. After each vote, the ballots are burned—black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke, often accompanied by the ringing of St. Peter’s Basilica’s bells, announces that a new pope has been elected.

Following the election, the new pope will appear on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the cardinal protodeacon will proclaim: “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a Pope!”), revealing his name and chosen papal name.

Voting Process:

Ballots: Each cardinal elector receives a ballot paper with the Latin phrase "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" (I elect as Supreme Pontiff) printed on the top half, with space below to write the name of their choice.
Casting Votes: Cardinals write the name of their choice, fold the ballot twice, and approach the altar in order of seniority. They place the ballot on a paten (a small dish) and then slide it into a chalice, after reciting a prayer: "I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected."
Counting Votes: Three scrutineers, chosen by lot, count the ballots. The names on the ballots are read aloud by one of the scrutineers, and the results are recorded. Three revisers then check the work of the scrutineers.
Majority Required: A two-thirds majority of the votes is required for a valid election.
Number of Ballots: Typically, there are two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon. If no Pope is elected after three days of balloting, there is a pause for a day of prayer, reflection, and informal discussions. Voting then resumes with up to seven ballots, followed by another pause, and so on.
Run-off (after approximately 12-13 days): If a two-thirds majority is not reached after a certain number of ballots (previously 33, but amended by Benedict XVI), the cardinals can decide by a simple majority to proceed to a run-off vote between the two men who received the most votes in the previous ballot. In this run-off, these two chosen ones do not vote. A two-thirds majority is still required for election in the run-off.

A Moment of Global Significance

This conclave will be one of the most consequential in modern history. Pope Francis reshaped the College of Cardinals, emphasizing voices from the global south and prioritizing mercy, pastoral outreach, and ecological justice. His successor will determine how these priorities evolve in a rapidly changing world.

As Catholics around the world pray and watch, the Church prepares for its next shepherd—one chosen not through politics, but in faith and in silence, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Sources: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/04/21/under-pope-francis-the-college-of-cardinals-became-less-european/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgxk40ndk1o

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