Conclave to Elect Pope Francis's Successor Set to Begin May 7

The College of Cardinals has announced that May 7 will mark the beginning of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. The cardinals are allowing themselves additional days beforehand to meet, discuss, and build consensus before being officially sealed inside the Sistine Chapel.

The College includes members from around the world, many of whom were appointed by Pope Francis during his tenure. Some cardinals are hoping to continue Francis’s legacy of focusing on social justice and outreach, while others advocate for a return to more traditional doctrines within the Catholic Church.

The conclave requires a two-thirds majority of voting cardinals to elect the new pope. Vatican officials caution that the process could take several days, depending on how quickly consensus can be reached.

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