Cardinals are scheduled to convene next month in a confidential conclave to select the next pope, as announced by the Vatican.

The private assembly will commence within the Sistine Chapel on 7 May, involving approximately 135 cardinals from around the globe.

This event follows the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, with his funeral taking place on Saturday.

There is no specified duration for the election of the new pope; however, the last two conclaves, conducted in 2005 and 2013, were completed in just two days.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni indicated that the cardinals will participate in a solemn mass at St Peter’s Basilica, after which those eligible to cast their votes will assemble in the Sistine Chapel for the confidential voting process.

Upon entering the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals are prohibited from communicating with the outside world until a new pope is chosen.

The first afternoon of the conclave will feature only one round of voting, but the cardinals will have the opportunity to vote up to four times each subsequent day.

Who will be the next Pope?

How is a Pope elected?

The unpredictability of the conclave Remarkable images from the funeral of Pope Francis Each cardinal submits his vote on a straightforward card that states, in Latin: “I elect as Supreme Pontiff,” followed by the name of their preferred candidate.

Should the conclave reach the end of its third day without a decision, the cardinals may take a day for prayer.

The world will be observing the smoke from the chimney outside the Sistine Chapel.

If the smoke is black, another voting round will occur. Conversely, white smoke indicates that a new pope has been elected.

Advertisement On Saturday, politicians and members of royalty gathered with thousands of mourners for the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square.

Hymns resonated through large speakers, occasionally overshadowed by the noise of helicopters overhead, before 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a homily reflecting on the pope’s legacy.

Following the ceremony, large crowds filled the streets of Rome to witness the procession of the Pope’s coffin to its final resting place at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

Authorities reported that 140,000 individuals lined the streets, applauding and waving as the hearse – a modified white popemobile – traversed the Tiber River and passed by some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks: the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Altare della Patria national monument located in Piazza Venezia.

On Sunday, images depicting Pope Francis’s tomb at the church were unveiled, revealing a solitary white rose resting on the stone inscribed with the name he was recognized by during his papacy, situated beneath a crucifix that was highlighted by a single spotlight.

The Vatican has announced that the conclave to elect a new pope will commence on 7 May.

The conclave to elect a new pope will commence on 7 May, as stated by the Vatican. Cardinals are scheduled to convene next month in a confidential conclave to select the next pope, according to the Vatican’s announcement.

This private assembly will take place within the Sistine Chapel starting on 7 May and will include approximately 135 cardinals from around the globe.

This event follows the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, with his funeral conducted on Saturday.

There is no specified timeframe for the election of the next pope; however, the last two conclaves, which occurred in 2005 and 2013, were completed in just two days.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni indicated that the cardinals will participate in a solemn mass at St Peter’s Basilica, after which those eligible to cast their votes will assemble in the Sistine Chapel for the confidential voting process.

Upon entering the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals are prohibited from communicating with the outside world until a new pope is chosen.

The first afternoon of the conclave will feature only one round of voting, but the cardinals will have the opportunity to vote up to four times each subsequent day.

To elect a new pope, a two-thirds majority is required, which may necessitate additional time.

Who will be the next Pope?

How is a Pope elected?

The unpredictability of the conclave Extraordinary images from the funeral of Pope Francis Each cardinal submits his vote on a straightforward card that states, in Latin: “I elect as Supreme Pontiff,” followed by the name of their preferred candidate.

If the conclave does not reach a decision by the end of the third day, the cardinals may take a day for prayer.

The world will be watching for the smoke from the chimney outside the Sistine Chapel.

Black smoke indicates another round of voting, while white smoke signifies that a new pope has been elected.

On Saturday, politicians and members of royalty joined thousands of mourners for the funeral of Pope Francis, which took place in St Peter’s Square.

Hymns resonated through large speakers, occasionally interrupted by the noise of helicopters overhead, before 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a homily reflecting on the pope’s legacy.

Following the ceremony, large crowds gathered along the streets of Rome to witness the procession of the Pope’s coffin to its final resting place at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

Authorities reported that 140,000 individuals lined the streets, applauding and waving as the hearse – a repurposed white popemobile – traversed the Tiber River and passed by some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks: the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Altare della Patria national monument located in Piazza Venezia.

On Sunday, photographs of Pope Francis’s tomb at the church were made public, depicting a solitary white rose resting on the stone inscribed with the name he was recognized by during his papacy, situated beneath a crucifix that was highlighted by a single spotlight.