Cardinals begin conclave to choose next pope

Voting starts Wednesday as Church leaders weigh future direction.
Text: Óscar Ontañón Docal
Published 2025-05-07

The latest news on Vatican City. The day is finally here. Cardinals from around the world will enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.

With 133 electors from 70 nations, the conclave reflects a diverse Church balancing calls for continuity with Francis' reforms and voices favouring a return to tradition. While front-runners include Cardinals Parolin and Tagle, no clear favourite has emerged yet.

Vatican City, October 13, 2019. Cardinals attend a mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square for the canonization of five blessed

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