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.

As part of our ART inc. series, practitioner Carlin Danner visits the Rhode Island PBS studios to demonstrate a sound bath and reflect on the practice’s history, emotional power, and her own journey into sonic wellness
Citing patient care concerns, Butler plans permanent replacements as strike enters third week
Thousands of Rhode Island children could lose access to things like meal programs, health insurance, and early childhood education if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to make major cuts to federally funded programs
The outlook remains uncertain in the Senate Judiciary Committee
McKee staffs up while preparing to seek re-election
The President’s rescission request targets all federal funding for public media through 2027, drawing fierce pushback from Democrats, rural lawmakers, and local stations — and prompting legal and political battles over press freedom and cultural influence