Papal conclave begins after cardinals sworn to secrecy; first vote results in no pope chosen yet trendy New year 2025

Papal conclave begins after cardinals sworn to secrecy; first vote results in no pope chosen yet

The College of Cardinals began meeting Wednesday to vote in a papal conclave -- a secret ballot where two-thirds majority is required for the election of a new pontiff. After each round of submissions, ballots are read aloud and then burned. The ashes are used to notify audiences around the world and onlookers in St. Peter's Square of the election's status.

Covered by: Anders Hagstrom, Caitlin McFall, Peter Pinedo, Alec Schemmel, Michael Dorgan, Jacqliene Mangini, Gabriele Regalbuto, Greg Wehner and Jasmine Baehr

CONCLAVE QUICK RECAP

The College of Cardinals began meeting in Vatican City Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to elect a new pope as the Bishop of Rome.

A papal conclave is an ancient electoral process through the Catholic Church where those under the age of 80 in the College of Cardinals vote to elect a new pontiff.

The conclave began in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel where cardinals are being kept in strict isolation to keep them far from any outside influence from the rest of the world.

Pope Francis, the 266th Vicar of Christ, was elected in 2013 and died on April 21, 2025.

There are a number of potential pope candidates, including the Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and the Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo. The College of Cardinals will signal to the world that a new pope has been selected when white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

Each time the College of Cardinals votes on a new pope but does not elect one, the end of a voting round will be signified with black smoke from the Sistine Chapel's chimney.

The "Room of Tears" is deceptive as robes await the joyful moment of an unnamed pope. The "Room of Tears" is deceptive as robes await the joyful moment of an unnamed pope. Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images

Cardinals from around the world are participating in the papal conclave at the Sistine Chapel, and in the “Room of Tears” are various sizes of dress to ensure a proper fit on the new pope.

After two weeks since the death of 88-year-old Pope Francis, 133 cardinals entered into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the selection process.

The vote, which takes place behind closed doors, will continue until a new Catholic Church leader is chosen. Only after receiving a two-thirds majority vote will the new pope enter into the “Room of Tears” where he will find his new attire in different sizes in the Vatican City.

The "Room of Tears": What is it? Once the new pope accepts his nomination and has chosen his papal name , he will enter the “Room of Tears” ( “Stanza della Licrime.) According to the Catholic News Agency, the room is known by this since it’s the first place the new Pope will go to face the reality of his new position. Pope Leo XIII reportedly wept upon entering the room in 1878.

According to the Associated Press the room is named for the emotional weight of responsibility ahead for the new pontiff. It is only a few steps away from the Sistine Chapel and is referred to in Italian as the "Stanza della Licrime." It’s in this room where the Pope will change from his red cardinal vestments to his new, white papal ones. There are various sizes available to accommodate whoever the pope may be.

In this room, the newly elected pope will have a short amount of time to reflect on his decision to accept his new role, and position before he gets introduced to the world, and greet the thousands waiting in St. Peter’s Square and millions watching from around the globe.

Jacqliene Mangini and Fox News Digital’s Nick Butler contributed to this report.

Posted by Greg Wehner

According to a theologian, the film "Conclave" was "done very accurately" in comparison to the actual voting process. According to a theologian, the film "Conclave" was "done very accurately" in comparison to the actual voting process. Alamy

The fact that Pope Francis, 88, the head of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21, 2025, the day after Easter Sunday, has actually brought the conclave back together. Though released in October 2024, "Conclave" struck a deep chord with viewers as Pope Francis’ declining health was made known to the public in February 2025.

The film closely follows the novel of the same name written by author Robert Harris.

"That was fairly accurate," Dennis Doyle, professor emeritus at the University of Dayton in Ohio, told Fox News Digital.

Doyle taught at the Catholic research university for 40 years.

"There were just a few differences, like some of the Latin wasn't exact, the carpet was red in the movie and its beige in real life," Doyle said. "The seating arrangements were done very dramatically in the movie. They're not exactly that way in real life. And even the way the voting was done was not exactly the same."

Despite the creative liberties, Doyle felt the film was "done very accurately."

"I was surprised at how well it was done and how they were able to present the characters in a way that every character in a certain sense was sympathetic," Doyle told Fox News Digital.

This is a portion of an article that Gabriele Regalbuto of Fox News wrote. Posted by Gabriele Regalbuto

Betting platform gives over 30% odds to Cardinal Pietro Parolin in succeeding Pope Francis: post

UK-based betting platform Kalshi, which describes itself as "the first CFTC regulated exchange dedicated to trading on the outcome of future events," is offering favorable odds to Cardinal Pietro Parolin according to an X post by PopCrave.

At the time of posting, Cardinal Parolin had over 30% support to take the Papacy, more than any other cardinal on the platform. He holds 27% support on the platform at the time of writing this post.

Parolin is seen by many as a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives in the Catholic Church, and a diplomat.

The X post has accumulated nearly 300k views and 4k likes.

Kalshi did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Jasmine Baehr made the post. Share

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NYC Cardinal Timothy Dolan could be in contention as next pope

Timothy Dolan (Fox News/Screengrab)

While cardinals continue to determine who will lead the Catholic Church into the coming years, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York City could be in contention as the next pontiff.

Fox News contributor Jonathan Morris said in a post on X Dolan is originally from St. Louis, served as a diocesan priest, went on to become an archbishop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and ultimately landed in New York City, where today he serves as a cardinal.

Dolan, at the age of 75, may sound like he is on the older side of becoming a pope, but the last two pontiffs were 78 and 76 when they were elected to serve, Morris continued to explain, and both had “relatively long pontificates.”

In April 2005, Pope Benedict was elected to the papacy. At the age of 85, he resigned in February 2013. He died in 2022.

Morris’ guess is that the cardinals do not want to elect a very young pope, admitting that was just his own take.

So when it comes to Dolan, he continued, the cardinal is a great communicator of faith who talks about Jesus in a way Catholics and non-Catholic Christians can understand and get behind.

Morris said that while Dolan may not have many votes at the beginning, the goal is to get a two-thirds majority. The candidate may not get the first vote, but eventually, Morris added, people will say that the cardinal is someone they can get behind, even if he was not their first vote.

Posted by Greg Wehner

Papal conclave: Eventual new pope's chosen name may signal what's ahead

Pope Francis, right, greets Pope Benedict XVI prior to the start of a meeting with elderly faithful in St. September's Peter's Square at the Vatican 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia/File)

Once a new pope is voted in, the name he chooses could signal the direction the Catholic Church moves in the coming years.

The announcement "Habemus Papa," or, "We have a pope," will be made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. It will then be followed by the pontiff’s baptismal name in Latin, along with his chosen papal name and meaning.

Should the pope choose to go with Pope Francis II , it could signify continuity with the late pontiff’s pastoral legacy, though Francis himself quipped that whoever succeeds him would be John XXIV, named after the Vatican II-era pope.

Find out more about the importance of a pope’s chose name.

Posted by Greg Wehner

Pope Francis' election as pope came as a shock to some Catholics

The 2013 election of Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who would go on to choose the regnal name of Francis, surprised many, Catholics included. Pope Francis was selected just 24 hours into the conclave and five ballots in. Shortly after his election was announced, Dr. Gilberto Cavazos-Gonzalez, then visiting professor at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome, reacted that the decision was “so out of left field” but that he was “tearing up” with joy over that a Latino had been selected to lead the church.

Francis came as a surprise to many for several reasons, including that it was the first time in history that either a South American or a Jesuit had been elected pope. What’s more, Francis’ name was not consistently featured on the shortlists of possible candidates.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

Many expected Francis’ successor would share the conservative, more traditional vision of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis’ predecessor.

Shortly before Francis’ election, American author and theologian R.R. Reno told Fox News Digital that because “the entire College of Cardinals has been appointed by Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI” it was “extraordinarily unlikely that the next pope will not reflect their collective interpretation of the council, which means in worldly terms, a conservative pope.”

Cardinals flying in from to vote on a new pope?

Where are Cardinals flying in from to vote on a new pope?

Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals are gathering on the first day of the conclave, indicating that a successor of late Pope Francis was not elected, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

After black smoke rose from the chimney installed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, the tens of thousands of spectators awaiting the election of a new pope in Vatican City learned late on Wednesday that the vote would continue. One hundred thirty-three Cardinals from 71 different countries across the globe gathered in Vatican City to begin the Conclave to elect the new Pope. The process began on May 7, 2025 at the Sistine Chapel, which is now closed to the public.

Former Pope Francis was instrumental in making the College of Cardinals less eurocentric by expanding it to include more cardinals from other continents.

Fifty-three Cardinals from Europe, 37 from the Americas, 23 from Asia, 18 from Africa, and four from Oceania will be present at the Conclave. As one of ten American cardinals, Timothy Dolan, who is also the Archbishop of New York, will be in attendance. For the first time, 15 nations will be represented by native Cardinal Electors hailing from Haiti, Singapore, Serbia, Papua New Guinea, Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, Myanmar, Rwanda, Tonga, Malaysia, Sweden, Luxembourg, Timor Leste, Paraguay, and South Sudan. The age range of the Cardinals spans generations, from the youngest being 45, Mikola Bychok of Ukraine and the oldest being 79, Carlos Osoro Sierra from Spain.

The Conclave will continue on Thursday, when the Cardinals will be able to vote up to four times before retiring until the next day.

Jacqliene Mangini contributed to this report.

Posted by Greg Wehner

BREAKING NEWS

Black smoke seen after first conclave vote, meaning no pope chosen

Black smoke seen coming from Sistine Chapel after first vote.

Black smoke was seen rising from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that cardinals failed to select a new pope during the first round of voting.

The 133 voting cardinals first entered the conclave on Wednesday to deliberate on a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.

The conclave will continue on Thursday, when the Cardinals will be able to vote up to four times before retiring until the next day.

Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

All eyes on Sistine Chapel chimney, awaiting smoke after first vote

Sistine Chapel chimney. (Credit: Reuters)

All eyes continued to be fixated on a chimney installed on the Sistine Chapel’s roof, as spectators continue to wait for white smoke to billow out, signifying a new pope has been voted in

No pope has ever been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries, so it is quite a surprise that so many people have gathered.

Some spectators are chalking up how much Pope Francis was loved by Romans and the faithful.

Local city authorities are saying between 30,000 and 50,000 have gathered for the event.

But people are getting impatient for smoke!

In 2005 there was smoke at 8:05pm local but tonight's wait is breaking records.

On the other hand, there have never been so many cardinals voting, with a total of 133 taking part in the historic vote.

Fox News' Courtney Walsh Annesi contributed to this report.

a pope dies, the Catholic Church chooses its next leader through an ancient electoral process called the "papal conclave."

In practice, since at least 1276, the conclave gathers the church’s top bishops – called the College of Cardinals – from around the world.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

The conclave takes place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel and cardinals are kept in strict isolation to keep them far from any outside influence from the rest of the world. Even the name conclave comes from the Latin "cum clavis," which means "with key," indicating how the cardinal electors deliberate behind locked doors about who will be the next pope. This isolation is so crucial to the process. There is also an emphasis on choosing a pope quickly to lessen the amount of time the church spends without a leader. The cardinals cast their first vote the day the conclave begins. They then cast votes at least twice every day after – in the morning and evening – until a pope is selected.

The threshold for winning the papal election is a two-thirds vote.

Posted by Peter Pinedo

How many popes historically have been Italian?

Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The majority of Popes have been Italian, but the last three came from countries other than Italy. Of the 266 Popes to lead the Catholic Church, 217, or 81% of them were Italian with Italy’s dominance in the papacy reflecting the Vatican's location in Rome, Italy, and the historic influence of the Italian clergy in the Church.

Despite Italy’s papal preeminence, there hasn’t been an Italian Pope since Pope John Paul I served for 33 days in 1978.

He was succeeded by Pope John Paul II (1978–2005) from Poland, who was followed by Pope Benedict XVI (2005–2013) from Germany and then Pope Francis (2013–2025) from Argentina, who was the first from the Americas.

For 455 years between the death of Dutchman Adrian VI in 1523 and the election of John Paul II in 1978, the Italians had total control of the papacy.

Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, is considered the first Pope and he was from Bethsaida in Galilee, which is in present-day northern Israel.

Posted by Michael Dorgan

Who is Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary? Who is Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary? Vatican Media Vatican Pool/Getty Images

There are several conservative cardinals who are believed to be top contenders for the papacy, including Cardinal Peter Erdo, who has been critical of Francis’ position on divorce and immigration.

Erdo has argued that divorced or re-married Catholics should not be allowed to receive Holy Communion due to his position regarding the "indissolubility of marriage."

According to the Catholic Herald, a conservative pope would "send a powerful message about the direction the Church would be taking" following Francis' tenure. Erdo has also differed from Francis greatly on immigration and argued in 2015 that permitting refugees to resettle is tantamount to human trafficking.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Caitlin McFall

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Who is Robert F. Cardinal? Prevost?

Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Cardinal F. Robert Prevost is a potential front-runner to become the next pope.

Prevost currently serves as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, which advises the pope on bishop appointments across the globe.

Prevost is one of only a handful of names considered to have a slight advantage in the papal conclave, which officially began Wednesday.

Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

The pope's salary: How does the pontiff get paid?

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church does not get paid what many consider a traditional salary. Instead, the Vatican provides for the pontiff's needs, from housing, food, transportation and other expenses in the form of stipends and allowances.

The Vatican, referred to as "the world's smallest country," is sustained by "an economy that relies on a combination of donations, private enterprises, and investments to generate revenue," according to Investopedia.

Pope Francis declined any sort of salary when he took office in 2013, The Economic Times reported back in February, adding that the pontiff at the time had a net worth of "around $16 million, which includes various assets provided to him as the pope."

According to reports, the Vatican's annual operating deficit will rise to over $90 million in 2023, putting it in danger for years. In November, Pope Francis warned that the Vatican's pension fund — which provides pensions to employees of the Holy See and Vatican City State — has been facing a "severe prospective imbalance" that "tends to grow over time in the absence of interventions," according to the Vatican News.

The governing body of the Vatican, also known as the Holy See, doesn't provide exact numbers regarding its finances. However, the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook estimated its revenues and expenditures in 2013 notched $315 million and $348 million, respectively.

It generates this money through various avenues. According to the Michigan Journal of Economics, the Holy See generates some of its revenue through Peter’s Pence, which is a term that describes donations collected from Catholics around the world and given to the Pope on an annual basis. This accounts for $27 million each year, with the largest contributions deriving from the United States, Germany and Italy, according to American Magazine.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Vatican and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for more information about how the pope gets paid, but did not immediately hear back.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Pilar Arias and Daniella Genovese

Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

Who is Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa?

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The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the release of the Israeli children who had been brutally kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Though Hamas did not accept the exchange, the offer garnered international attention and brought his name forward as a potential future leader of the Catholic Church.

Should the Italian cardinal be chosen for the papacy, it would be the first time in 50 years that an Italian headed the Catholic Church, which was previously long seen as under Italian control – though, given the decades he has spent in the Middle East he is also seen as a Vatican outsider.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Caitlin McFall

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BREAKING NEWS

'Extra omnes' order given, officially beginning papal conclave

A giant screen in St Peter's Basilica shows a Vatican official calling out "extra omnes" and closing the door to the Sistine Chapel during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The papal conclave officially began just before 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday after all 133 voting cardinals swore an oath of secrecy.

After their oaths were made, the Extra Omnes order was given, removing everyone from the chamber aside from the approved cardinals. The doors at the Sistine Chapel were then sealed.

The cardinals could deliberate for hours or days before selecting a new pope.

Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

Cardinals take oath of secrecy ahead of conclave

Cardinals swear the oath of secrecy ahead of the conclave.

All 133 voting cardinals swore an oath of secrecy before beginning the papal conclave on Wednesday.

The oath, in Latin, reads, "Et ego [given name] Cardinalis [surname] spondeo, voveo ac iuro. "Sic me Deus adiuvet and have Sancta Dei Evangelia, which I tango with." In English, the oath reads, "And I, [given name] Cardinal [surname], so promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand."

Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

Who is Cardinal Raymond Burke, an American? Who is Cardinal Raymond Burke, an American? Franco Origlia/Getty Images

American Cardinal Raymond Burke, a Wisconsin native and former archbishop of St. Louis, is considered to be the leading American candidate. The 76-year-old cardinal is also viewed as being from the conservative side of the Church.

He is a proponent of the Latin Mass, and has been critical of Pope Francis regarding the Church’s new language around artificial contraception, LGBT issues and civil marriages. Burke was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Caitlin McFall

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Who is Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle?

Getty Images via Tiziana FabiI/AFP Luis Antonio Tagle, who is pro-prefect for the Dicastery for Evangelization's section on first evangelization and president of the Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious, is also thought to be a front-runner among voting cardinals. He has been dubbed the "Asian Pope Francis" particularly for their similarities when it comes to their more embracing position of the LGBTQI community than their predecessors.

Tagle stated in an interview in 2015 that the Church was being hurt by the Church's "severe" position regarding the LGBTQI community, divorcees, and single mothers. According to the Catholic Herald, Tagle "would be hailed by liberals, given the changing demographic of the Church."

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Caitlin McFall

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Here's why some of the cardinals are dressed differently at the papal conclave

While the vast majority of Catholic cardinals participating in the papal conclave at the Vatican this week are wearing red and white, a smattering are dressed differently. Here's why.

The Catholic Church is comprised of 24 separate churches, by far the largest of which is known as the "Latin rite." Cardinals in the Latin Rite wear the recognizable red and white, but cardinals of the other churches, known as the "sui iuris" churches, often dress differently.

The most recognizable such cardinals are the representatives of the eastern churches, who are dressed in black.

Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

Inside the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence where cardinals stay during a papal conclave

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The Domus Sancte Marthae, the St. Martha House, is a modern residence for Catholic clergy visiting Vatican City and is managed by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

During a papal conclave , it is exclusively reserved for the cardinal electors from around the world. St. Pope John Paul II decreed that this space should be built to create a more spacious and hospitable environment for the clergy during a sede vacante. Domus has 106 suites and 22 single rooms and was built in 1996. It is staffed with clergy to hear confessions in different languages, medical doctors, and support personnel. All people staying at the Domus must be preapproved by the Cardinal Camerlengo and three Cardinal Assistants.

Prior to staying here, the clergy would sleep on cots in much smaller rooms next to the Sistine Chapel during a conclave. The first Saint A hospice and religious dispensary were operated by the Martha House Foundation. By Jacqliene Mangini in a post Share

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Why did Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu withdraw from the pope election ahead of conclave?

Remo Casilli/Remo Reuters Cardinal Angelo Becciu, 76, announced late last month that he would withdraw himself from participating in the vote of the College of Cardinals to appoint the next pope.

The decision came after Becciu, who was embroiled in the Vatican’s 2020 “trial of the century” before he was convicted in 2023 of embezzlement and other finance-related charges, caused a stir by claiming he had a right to participate in the conclaves vote.

CONVICTED CARDINAL ANNOUNCES HE WON'T BE PART OF CONCLAVE TO CHOOSE POPE FRANCIS' SUCCESSOR

But according to the Associated Press the fallen cardinal was presented two letters by Pope Francis urging him not to participate in the ballot process.

Francis in 2020 forced Becciu to resign from his top post as head of the Vatican’s saint-making office and to renounce the rights of the cardinalate following claims that he embezzled millions of dollars of the Vatican’s money.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

He, along with nine others, were accused of crimes that included fraud, embezzlement, extortion, corruption, money laundering and abuse of office, though he maintains his innocence.

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The terms you'll hear during the papal transition are described below.

Who is the dean of the College of Cardinals?

The current dean is Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. He is the head of the College of Cardinals who informs the rest of the cardinals and the ambassadors to the Holy See of the pope’s death once he learns of it from the camerlengo. He calls the conclave together and leads the swearing in of the electors. Since Re is 91, he cannot vote, so he will leave the Sistine Chapel once the conclave begins and the most senior cardinal, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, takes over.

What is the Domus Santa Marta?

This Vatican guesthouse, built in 1996, specifically houses cardinals during a conclave and is used at other times as a hotel for visiting priests and Vatican officials. Pope Francis never moved out after he was elected, choosing to live in suite 201 rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. Some electors are being accommodated in an adjacent residence due to the large number of electors and the limited space in the main building. What does ‘extra omnes’ mean?

A Latin phrase for “all out,” it's spoken by the master for papal liturgical celebrations, currently Italian Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to ask all those present except the cardinal electors to leave the Sistine Chapel to begin the voting process during the conclave.

What does it mean when they say, ‘Habemus Papam’?

This Latin phrase translates to “We have a pope.” The "protodeacon" of the College of Cardinals made the announcement from the gallery of St. the election of a new pope at Peter's Basilica. He then says the new pope's birth name and the name he has chosen to use as pope, also in Latin. The current protodeacon is French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti.

Who are the infirmarii?

These are the three cardinals, chosen by a random drawing from the electors, who are charged with gathering the ballots of any electors who made it to Rome but are ill during the conclave.

Who are the revisers?

These are the three cardinals, chosen by a random drawing from the electors, who are charged with reviewing the ballots during the conclave.

Who are the scrutineers?

These are the three cardinals, chosen by a random drawing from the electors, who are charged with reviewing each ballot and announcing it to the assembled conclave after each round of voting. They then tally the votes — to win the election, two-thirds of the votes are necessary — and they burn the ballots.

What does the expression "sede vacante" refer to? This is Latin for “vacant seat,” the period between the pope’s death or resignation and the election of a new one.

What does the text ‘Universi Dominici Gregis’ contain?

This Latin phrase means “the Lord’s whole flock.” It’s the Vatican constitution that regulates the processes from a pope’s death until a new one is elected. St. John Paul II issued it in 1996 during his papacy, and Pope Benedict XVI twice amended it, most significantly by removing John Paul's provision that after about 12 days of balloting a simple majority could elect a new pope rather than a two-thirds majority. If the conclave lasts that long, the top two vote-getters go to a runoff, with a two-thirds majority required to win. Neither of the top two candidates casts a ballot in the runoff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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'Anything could happen' during 2025 conclave, according to expert

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A conclave, organized by the camerlengo, presently Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, begins 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death.

"Anything could happen," Tim Gabrielli, associate professor and Gudorf chair in Catholic intellectual traditions at the University of Dayton in Ohio, told Fox News Digital.

Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on April 21, 2025, after 12 years as the Bishop of Rome.

"We really don’t have much of an idea," he said of Pope Francis’ successor . "I think anybody who says otherwise is maybe posturing."

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, and American Cardinal Raymond Burke have all been mentioned as potential candidates. Gabrielli stated, "It's helpful to remember that the cardinal electors are going to be locked away, conclave means with key, away from media and influences." "We've got a group of people who play important roles in the church throughout the world, and they're coming together, spending time together, and this group of cardinals hasn't spent a lot of time together," Gabrielli added.

This is a portion of an article that Gabriele Regalbuto of Fox News wrote. Posted by Gabriele Regalbuto

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Are visitors still allowed at the Vatican during the College of Cardinals conclave?

Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Visitors wishing to see some of the most famous sites at the Vatican City will need to be patient during the conclave. While most of Vatican City will remain open during this significant period for the Catholic Church, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums will be temporarily closed due to the meeting of the College of Cardinals. These closures will disrupt long-awaited tours for thousands of visitors.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

The length of each conclave is unique and is determined by the number of ballots cast by the Cardinals for the new pope. To know when the new pope is elected, white smoke will appear from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel simultaneously with the ringing of bells to signify this.

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Why are Cardinal voting ballots burned and used for signaling a new pope?

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The process of burning the College of Cardinal’s ballots goes back centuries. In a time with no mass media, burning the ballots was a way to communicate the voting status. In the early 20th century, the tradition evolved to use black smoke to signal that a pope had not been elected and white smoke to signal that a pope had been chosen.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

The ballots were burned to ensure the secrecy of the ballot. The Conclave process is of the utmost secrecy. The Cardinals are secluded from the outside world in the Vatican City’s Sistine Chapel where the Cardinals can vote without the influence of the secular world and political influences, as well as giving them space to discuss opinions freely. The central Catholic belief that the Holy Spirit should direct the Cardinals in making the best choice for a new pope is another reason for the secrecy. By Jacqliene Mangini in a post Share

Which of the voting cardinals in the 2025 conclave are from the United States?

Just 10 out of the 133 voting cardinals who will be participating in the papal conclave, hail from the United States.

These include: Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, retired prefect of the church’s highest court known as the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura; Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago; Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, retired archbishop of Galveston-Houston; Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York; Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, former prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life under Pope Francis; Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, retired archbishop of Washington; Cardinal James M. Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls; Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, current archbishop of Washington; Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops which advises the pope on bishop appointments across the globe; and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, the Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey.

There are a few other remaining U.S. cardinals, but they are too old to participate. Cardinals must be under 80 years of age to vote during the papal conclave.

Posted by Alec Schemmel

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What is the timeline of events for the 2025 conclave?

The College of Cardinals will meet on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to initiate the papal conclave which is the decades old process of selecting the next pope.

The meeting is set to begin nine days after Pope Francis’ funeral which concludes a period of mourning known as “Novemdiales.”

The holy body is made up of 252 members, though only 135 members may cast a ballot as a voter must be younger than 80 years old on the day of the pope’s passing.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

What is the timeline of events for the 2025 conclave?

The body, which takes a pledge of secrecy, will hold a vote each day until a decision is reached by a two-thirds majority.

According to the Vatican, if the voting process starts on the first day of the conclave, then only one vote will be held that day. Each day following two ballots will be held in the morning and along with two ballots in the afternoon until a decision is reached.

If after the third day a decision has not been reached, the conclave will take a one day break.

Upon electing a new pope, the cardinal in question will be asked by the Dean of the College if he accepts the position and which name he would like to be called. Once the individual accepts the role as the new pope the conclave concludes.

Caitlin McFall posted Share

Which Cardinals are voting for the first time in a papal conclave?

Remo Casilli/Remo Reuters Only cardinals under 80 years of age may vote at a conclave.

Of the current 252 Cardinal Electors, 133 are under 80 and therefore eligible to vote. However, two cardinals will not be attending due to health reasons meaning 133 cardinals take part in the process.

The vast majority of eligible electors are first time voters although an exact number is not known. Because the late Pope Francis wanted to name cardinals outside of Europe and the Americas, 27 of them are from Asia and Oceania. WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

Cardinal Mykola Bychok, a 45-year-old Ukrainian, is the youngest first-time voter. His service included being vicar of the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of St. John the Baptist in Newark, New Jersey, according to EWTN.

The second youngest is Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, 50, from Mongolia while the third youngest is Cardinal Americo Aguiar, 51, of Portugal.

The three of them are one of Pope Francis' 108 electors. Of the 133 cardinals voting, 15 are under the age of 60. The conclave is set to be the largest in the history of the Catholic Church.

Posted by Michael Dorgan

Who is Anders Arborelius, the Swedish cardinal? Who is Anders Arborelius, the Swedish cardinal? Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

As the first Swedish cardinal in history, Cardinal Anders Arborelius has emerged as one of the front-runners for the position of head of the Catholic Church. As Sweden is a predominately Protestant nation with Catholics making up just over 1% of the country, Arborelius’ elevation from Bishop to Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2017, is still seen as an advantage when it comes to vying for the top spot.

He was also the first Swede to be made a bishop of Stockholm since the 1517 Protestant Reformation when St. John Paul II appointed him in 1998, reported the Catholic Review.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Caitlin McFall

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How the name a new pope chooses can signal what to expect from his papacy

The first clue of the next pope's direction will be the name he chooses.

Popes used their given names for most of the Catholic Church’s first millennium. But in the mid-20th century, new popes began to choose names signaling the aim of their papacy.

The first pope to use a different name was Roman Mercurius, who was named after a pagan god and chose John II, which was more fitting. The practice of adopting a new name became ingrained during the 11th century, a period of German popes who chose names of early church bishops out of “a desire to signify continuity," said the Rev. Roberto Regoli, a historian at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University.

New popes tended to choose the name of the pope who had promoted them to cardinal for many centuries. John was chosen by 23 popes, followed by Benedict and Gregory, who each received 16 votes. Only starting in the mid-20th century did new popes begin to choose names signaling the aim of their papacy, Regoli said.

“Even now, as we are waiting for the new pope, the name with which he will present himself will help us to understand the horizon towards which he wants to proceed," Regoli said.

Some names have been out of use for centuries, like Urban or Innocent.

“I don’t think anyone will pick Innocent,″ Imperative said, given the abuse and other scandals that have rocked the church. ”I don’t think that would be the right choice."

Imperative suggested Ignatius, after the Jesuit order's founder, as a name that might suggest a continuation of Francis' legacy. She stated, "It would be interesting." "We've never had one of those."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

How is the Sistine Chapel secured during the secret election process of a new pope?

Getty Images/Richards De Luca/Anadolu The papal conclave will take place in the Sistine Chapel which will be transformed into a highly secure and secluded environment to ensure the election process is not compromised.

Only cardinal electors and a few authorized personnel are allowed inside the chapel during the conclave. The chapel will be physically sealed off from everyone else with its windows covered and a raised floor installed to protect the historic marble inlay and to conceal any potential surveillance devices.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

Prior to the conclave, the chapel is thoroughly inspected for hidden surveillance devices to prevent any leaks of confidential proceedings. Wi-Fi will also be blocked throughout Vatican City for the duration of the conclave.

In addition, all cardinal electors take a solemn oath to maintain the secrecy of the proceedings and violating this oath can result in excommunication.

Smoke from the chapel’s chimney is the only way to signal the outcome of the voting.

During the conclave, cardinals reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a Vatican guesthouse, which will also be secured.

Posted by Michael Dorgan

'Conclave' movie viewership has gone through roof since Pope Francis died on April 21

Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Viewership of the movie "Conclave," which depicts the choosing of a new pope, has spiked in the days since Pope Francis died. But how much of the Academy Award winner is accurate to the real event about to take place?

The Rev. Bryan Pham, a Jesuit priest and associate director for Catholic Studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, told Fox News Digital he believes the movie was accurate according to the "timeline and sequence of events of how to handle the death of a pope, the relaying of information, the gathering of the cardinals, and general procedures of getting the new pope elected."

Pham, who was a graduate student in Rome during the last conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, also said the "side conversations among the cardinals as they try to identify the challenges and the needs of the church when considering the qualities of the next pope" rang true.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Brie Stimson.

Who is African Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu?

Who is African Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besan?

AP Photo/Andrew Medicin

Another conservative cardinal thought to be a serious contender is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the war-torn nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Membership of the Catholic Church in Africa is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, according to the Associated Press.

The Real-world Ambongo controversially rejected Pope Francis' blessing of same-sex couples by the Catholic Church. In a letter signed by other African priests, they said they refused to follow the pontiff’s declaration because such unions are "contrary to the will of God."

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Caitlin McFall

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Who are possible next pope candidates?

Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images

While there is no official candidate for the next pope, there are several front runners who are considered “papabile” and likely to be at the top of the ballot tallies.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, an Italian who served as the Vatican’s secretary of state under Pope Francis and is the highest-ranking diplomat in the Holy See – which is the governing body of the Catholic Church.

He is deemed a “moderate” among Catholics.

WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE?

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is from the Philippines and has been dubbed the "Asian Pope Francis" for his more accepting position on the LGBTQ community than some of his colleagues. He is viewed as a “liberal” in the College of Cardinals.

The Real-world Democratic Republic of the Congo Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu is widely regarded as a serious contender for the papacy. He is viewed as far more conservative than Pope Francis and in 2024 signed a statement on behalf of the bishops conferences of Africa and Madagascar in refusal to accept Francis’ declaration that allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, reported the Associated Press.

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Who is Italian Cardinal Petrol Parolin?

Robert Nemeti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Cardinal Pietro Parolin , the Vatican’s secretary of state, is the highest-ranking diplomat in the Holy See – which is the governing body of the Catholic Church – and is believed to be among the cardinals most likely to be elected to the top position.

His favor among cardinals in the Sacred College, who will vote on the next pope, is due to his politically moderate position and his career in diplomacy, reported The New York Post.

Parolin, who spent part of his career in Mexico and Nicaragua, was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 and would likely be seen as an extension of the current papacy.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News' Caitlin McFall

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Bishop Barron discusses papal front-runners

Bishop Robert Barron, renowned author, speaker, and theologian, discussed papal front-runners with EWTN on May 6.

Among the most discussed contenders to be the next pope is Pietro Parolin, the Cardinal Secretary of State of the Vatican.

"I think he'd be a steady hand. He's the ultimate Vatican insider," said Barron, who serves as bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota.

While he lauded Parolin's years of experience as a diplomat and his broad network inside the Vatican, Barron said that one reservation he had about his candidacy was Parolin's actions towards China, saying that he has made too many concessions to the Chinese Communist Party.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who has earned the nickname "the Asian Pope Francis," is also seen as highly papabile.

"He's a very charming man," said Barron, saying that he knows him well.

"He would have the charisma is great supply. But also a very emotional man," Barron said, pointing out that Tagle occasionally wept after giving a passionate speech. According to Barron, Tagle's papacy would likely be a continuation of Francis' and would likely be more left-leaning. With several cardinals from Africa being floated as top contenders and Catholicism surging in several nations in the continent, Barron said this might be the "African moment."

Among the most cited cardinals from Africa is Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea. Barron said that, while Sarah is on the older side, he is someone that he admires greatly."

He's a very spiritually alert man, a great writer, and someone that understands the essential elements of the Church's life," said Barron.

Regardless of who the conclave decide on, Barron said, "What comes first when it comes to the pope is the declaration of Jesus risen from the dead."

Christian Mysliwiec of Fox News contributed to this report. Anders Hagstrom made the post. Share

What you need to know about voting during a conclave

Voting during the conclave is by secret ballot. According to the U.S. Prior to entering the Sistine Chapel, where the voting takes place, the cardinals participating in the election swear to keep their identities secret. The first day of the conclave is the first day of voting, which can take place as many as four times a day, twice in the morning and twice at night, until one cardinal receives the two-thirds majority necessary to be elected. Before each vote, cardinals are handed ballots on which the Latin words “Eligio in Summum Pontificem” (“I elected as the Supreme Pontiff”) are written. The cardinals write their vote on the ballot and then process to Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgement, say a prayer and deposit their twice-folded ballot into a large chalice, according to an explanation by the Archdiocese of Boston.

After each round of voting, three cardinals count the votes and read the names aloud. If a two-thirds majority has not been reached, the votes are burned in a mixture of chemicals, producing black smoke, signaling a new pope has not yet been chosen.

Voting continues until a pope is finally chosen, at which point – if the candidate accepts – the votes are burned in a mixture of chemicals to produce white smoke, signaling to those assembled in St. Peter’s Square and those watching across the world that the Church has a new pope.

Posted by Peter Pinedo

Chimney installed on Sistine Chapel's roof ahead of conclave to pick Pope Francis' successor

AP/Gregorio Borgia

The chimney that will let the world know when cardinals have chosen a successor to Pope Francis was installed in early May 2025 on the roof of the Sistine Chapel.

Firefighters were seen putting up the fixture ahead of the conclave set to begin next Wednesday.

During a conclave, cardinals vote through a secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is required for the election. After each round of submissions, ballots are read aloud and then burned. The ashes are used to notify audiences around the world and onlookers in St. The status of the election in Peter's Square. Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican indicates a new round of voting is set to happen. White smoke signals a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church is selected.

This is an excerpt of an article written by Fox News' Greg Norman.

Posted by Gabriele Regalbuto

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What experts think will happen at the conclave in 2025 What experts think will happen at the conclave in 2025 AP

The upcoming papal conclave has experts engaged in fervent discussion about the Catholic church’s sacred voting process will unfold

While some Vatican watchers suggest we could see a longer than usual conclave , others have signaled they think it will be short, like it has been during the last handful of times.

“Maximum three days,” predicted Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez. However, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, said he expects the conclave “won’t go as quickly as the last conclave.”

The the diversity of this year’s conclave has also commanded attention, as well as the fact that many cardinals are unfamiliar with each other, which could lead to a lengthier vote than during recent conclaves of the past.

The vast majority of the 133 cardinal-electors will be participating in a conclave for the first time, according to Reuters, which noted around 80% of the participants were appointed by Pope Francis. Meanwhile, per the Religion News Service, this conclave’s College of Cardinals is the most geographically diverse in centuries.

“I wouldn’t panic if we don’t have a pope by the end of day two, but if there still isn’t any white smoke by the end of the third day, then we start to get worried,” said Rev. Jesuit priest and Vatican commentator Thomas Reese. Posted by Alec Schemmel

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