All attention turns to the Vatican on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, as 133 cardinals begin the crucial task of electing the next Pope, the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The process kicks off with a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Later in the day, the cardinals will move in a solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel, where they’ll take oaths of secrecy before casting the first vote of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope.
To ensure absolute confidentiality, the Vatican will disable all mobile signals and deploy signal jammers within the conclave area. Entry points to the Apostolic Palace, including the Sistine Chapel, were sealed with lead on Tuesday. Swiss Guards will secure all access points during the proceedings.
Voting will continue daily, with cardinals residing at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse. Although a pope can technically be elected in the first round, this is rare. The last two conclaves concluded within two days.
As tradition dictates, the world will watch the Sistine Chapel’s chimney for white smoke, the symbol of a successful papal election.
