The Vatican is preparing for a significant conclave on May 7, 2025, to elect the 267th Pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. A traditional chimney has been installed on the Sistine Chapel, a symbol that will convey the voting result: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke signals that a new Pope has been elected.

The conclave will begin at 10:00 AM Rome time with the “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, cardinals will process from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel while reciting an oath of secrecy.

A total of 133 eligible cardinals under the age of 80 will cast votes. A candidate must secure at least two-thirds of the vote—89 votes—to be elected. If not achieved in the first ballot, two votes will be held in the morning and two in the afternoon on each following day until a decision is made.

The election of a new Pope has far-reaching implications for over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Beyond its religious significance, the conclave also affects global diplomacy, given the Holy See’s international influence. As such, the world watches not only as faithful observers but also as geopolitical stakeholders.

The 2025 conclave marks the continuity of Catholic tradition in a modern era. As the Sistine Chapel becomes the focal point of spiritual and historical attention, the world awaits the rise of the white smoke—symbolizing the emergence of a new spiritual leader.