Conclave to Elect New Pope Set for May 7, Vatican Source Confirms

Cardinals will gather for a secret conclave to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church starting May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.

The decision was made during a closed-door meeting of cardinals at the Vatican — the first since the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88. An official announcement of the conclave date is expected shortly.

About 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, representing regions from around the world. Preparations are underway, with the 16th-century Sistine Chapel — the traditional venue for conclaves — closed to tourists on Monday.

Unlike the conclaves of 2005 and 2013, which each concluded within two days, Swedish Cardinal Anders Arborelius suggested the upcoming conclave may take longer. Many cardinals appointed by Francis come from regions that previously had little Vatican representation and have yet to meet each other.

“We don’t know each other,” Arborelius said, highlighting the diversity Francis encouraged during his papacy by appointing cardinals from places such as Myanmar, Haiti, and Rwanda.

The slight delay, with the conclave beginning on May 7 instead of the earliest possible date of May 6, allows more time for preliminary discussions before voting begins.

Crowds estimated at more than 400,000 gathered in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral and burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. His reformist legacy — which opened the Church to new debates, including on women’s ordination and LGBTQ outreach — continues to influence the choice of his successor.

German Cardinal Walter Kasper, speaking to La Repubblica, said the massive turnout showed Catholics’ support for Francis’ progressive approach. “The People of God voted with their feet,” Kasper said, adding that he believes the Church should continue along the path Francis charted.

However, a faction of conservative cardinals is expected to advocate for a return to more traditional teachings, setting the stage for a pivotal vote on the future direction of the 1.4-billion-member Church.