Vatican City: The conclave to elect the new leader of the global Catholic Church formally begins today in Vatican City, following the recent death of Pope Francis. The cardinal electors will commence proceedings with a special Mass in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday morning. Notably, this conclave may depart from tradition, with indications that voting will begin only on the second day.
A total of 133 cardinals hold voting rights in this conclave. They took up residence at the Santa Marta guesthouse on Tuesday in preparation for the solemn proceedings. In line with centuries-old ritual, a chimney has been installed above the Sistine Chapel, and a stove has been readied to burn ballots after each vote—white smoke indicating a successful election, and black smoke signifying an inconclusive vote.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that 173 cardinals, including the electors, participated in a general congregation on Tuesday morning. He also announced that the first round of voting would begin on Thursday. Should a pope be elected in the morning session, white smoke will be visible around 10:30 a.m. local time. If the vote is unsuccessful, a second round will follow later in the day.
To maintain the secrecy of the proceedings, signal-jamming technology has been installed around the Sistine Chapel.
The duration of the conclave remains uncertain. A new pope must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected. While recent conclaves—such as those that selected Popes Francis and Benedict XVI—concluded within two days, historical precedents vary greatly. The longest papal election lasted nearly three years (1268–1271).
This conclave is unprecedented in its international composition, with cardinal electors representing over 70 countries across five continents. Cardinals under the age of 80, along with other senior clerics, held final preparatory meetings on Tuesday. These discussions addressed key issues including the Vatican’s financial management, the global abuse crisis, Church unity, and the vision for the future pontificate.
Franco-Algerian Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, speaking to Corriere della Sera, remarked on the unity fostered among this diverse group:
“We came from many countries; many of us had never met before. We finally got to know each other.”
Cardinal Vesco suggested that there are “at least five or six” serious contenders for the papacy. While some are considered “natural candidates” due to their prominent roles and respected personalities, he noted that the conclave often delivers unexpected outcomes:
“Even if someone seems like ‘the one’, it doesn’t mean they will be chosen. It will happen—just not always as expected.”
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