The conclave officially begins on May 7, 2025. On that day, cardinals first participate in a mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City at 4 am ET (10 am local time in Rome). Following the mass, the cardinals process to the Sistine Chapel where the voting process starts. They take an oath of secrecy and then the first round of voting occurs. The Sistine Chapel remains sealed off to the public until a new pope is chosen by a two-thirds majority vote. The conclave will continue until the election is concluded, with smoke signals used to indicate progress to the outside world—black smoke means no decision yet, and white smoke means a new pope has been elected.
