Conclave to Elect the Next Pope Will Commence on May 7

FILE - Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, center, takes an oath at the beginning of the conclave to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 18, 2005.
FILE - Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, center, takes an oath at the beginning of the conclave to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 18, 2005.
AP Photo/Osservatore Romano via AP, File
Share
FILE - Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, center, takes an oath at the beginning of the conclave to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 18, 2005.
FILE - Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, center, takes an oath at the beginning of the conclave to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 18, 2005.
AP Photo/Osservatore Romano via AP, File
Conclave to Elect the Next Pope Will Commence on May 7
Copy

The conclave to elect the next pope will commence on May 7, according to the Vatican.

The decision was made at the Fifth General Congregation, held on Monday morning in the Vatican’s Synod Hall. The conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which will remain closed to visitors during those days.

According to the Vatican, there are currently 135 cardinal electors eligible to vote in the conclave, though the number who will attend and vote is not yet confirmed.

In order to be elected pope, a two-thirds majority of electors present is required.

Copyright NPR 2025.

A manifesto for Tiny Gardens, a ‘visual spectacle’ concerto for percussion, St. Patrick’s Day parades and more
Victims who cooperated with investigators say the Massachusetts attorney general’s office has yet to release its long-promised report into abuse allegations in the Worcester, Springfield and Fall River dioceses
The downtown mall is in receivership and searching for a buyer as empty storefronts become harder to ignore
Extreme heat can have serious health consequences, but until recently, public health researchers only had imprecise tools to study it. Brown University Professor Allan Just is working to change that
Kindergartener proves patience - and a steady nose - can make world-record history
Start your morning on a lucky note with these simple, wholesome pancakes. Made with blended oats and a few everyday ingredients, they cook up fluffy, golden, and perfect for piling high with your favorite toppings