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.

Catch Alan Doyle live, Ballet RI on tour, a documentary on the history of podcasting, and Roomful of Blues celebrating a new album
A new survey shows perceived access drops sharply in Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket and Central Falls, underscoring stark disparities across the state
Rhode Island has pulled back its $35M investment, rerouting funds to other projects as the Trump administration freezes offshore wind permitting
A research team at Brown called Breathe Providence is asking people to track what they smell, in an effort to better understand air pollution in Rhode Island
Residents cite screen time, news fatigue and low early interest in the governor’s race
Campaign-funded survey finds Block trailing Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes head-to-head, but gaining ground when voters hear more about his background