• The conclave to elect a new pope will begin on May 7, 2025.
• 135 cardinals, all under the age of 80, are eligible to vote.
• The Sistine Chapel has been closed for preparations for the voting.
• The election process will start with a solemn mass on May 3.
• The tradition of black and white smoke will indicate the voting results.

The Vatican has officially confirmed that the conclave to elect the successor of Pope Francis will commence on May 7, 2025. This decision was made during a meeting of cardinals two days after Pope Francis' funeral on April 26, where over 400,000 mourners attended the ceremonies to honor the late pope, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, according to Reuters and TRT Global.

The Sistine Chapel has been closed to tourists to facilitate the necessary preparations for the conclave, during which eligible cardinals will gather to cast their votes, reports Channel News Asia. A total of 135 cardinals will be participating in this secretive voting process, with a two-thirds majority required to elect the new pope.

Pope Francis prioritized appointing cardinals from diverse backgrounds, placing emphasis on inclusivity, which may influence the direction of the church after his passing. On this note, German Cardinal Walter Kasper expressed on South China Morning Post that the outpouring of mourners showed a desire for a continuation of Francis' reforming style.

The conclave will follow the historical practice of signaling voting results through smoke emitted from the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke indicates no election has taken place, while white smoke confirms a new pope has been chosen; Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako of Baghdad anticipates a short conclave, lasting "two or three days," according to ABC News.