Payam Javan: On May 7, 2025, 133 cardinals from around the world convened in the Vatican to begin the conclave to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. The day started with a Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff in St. Peter’s Basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who urged the cardinals to seek divine guidance in choosing a leader to address the challenges facing the Church and humanity. At 4:30 p.m., the cardinal electors, all under 80, will proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where they will take an oath of secrecy and begin the voting process under strict security measures, including the deactivation of mobile phone signals in Vatican City to ensure the conclave’s confidentiality.

The voting process, steeped in tradition, involves handwritten ballots cast in the Sistine Chapel, with cardinals swearing before God to vote for the candidate they believe should lead the Church. A two-thirds majority (89 votes) is required to elect the new pope, with results signaled by smoke from burning ballots—white for a successful election, black for no decision. The cardinals will cast one vote on the first day and up to four daily thereafter until a pope is chosen. If no pope is elected after three days, a pause for prayer and reflection will occur. With global attention on the Vatican, the conclave’s outcome will shape the future of the Catholic Church in a rapidly changing world.