Catholic Cardinals Set to Convene for Historic Papal Conclave

The Vatican announced it will begin the conclave to elect a new pope on May 7, following Pope Francis’s death last month. Over 130 cardinal electors will gather within the Sistine Chapel to choose his successor. Francis left a diverse College of Cardinals—mostly from the Global South—which makes the outcome less predictable than previous papal elections. Balancing Francis’s progressive legacy with more traditional voices is at the heart of the discussions. A two-thirds majority is needed to select the next pope, with white smoke signaling a decision.