when is the papal conclave

The papal conclave to elect the new pope following the death of Pope Francis in 2025 began on May 7, 2025. The cardinals, who are eligible to vote, convened in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican to start the conclave process. This date was set between 15 and 20 days after the pope's death, following the usual protocol. The conclave officially started with a Mass in the morning followed by the cardinal-electors processing to the Sistine Chapel, solemnly taking oaths and beginning the voting process in the afternoon of May 7. The conclave typically continues until a new pope is elected by a two-thirds supermajority vote of the cardinal electors.