The Holy See Press Office announced on Monday that the conclave to elect a new Pope will begin on May 7. The Vatican shared on X: “The Cardinals present in Rome made the decision on Monday at their fifth General Congregation. The conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which will remain closed to visitors during those days.”
The date announcement came after informal meetings among the cardinals, who have been discussing the future direction of the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The decision had been postponed until after the funeral on Saturday.
The conclave will be conducted by the College of Cardinals, a group of 135 members eligible to vote. More than 180 cardinals attended Monday’s informal meeting in Rome.
As per reports, four Indian cardinals are among those eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave. These include Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Damman; Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in Kerala; George Koovakkad, former head of the Journeys Office at the Secretariat of State of the Holy See; and Anthony Poola, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad, and the first archbishop from the Dalit Christian community.
The College of Cardinals comprises 108 members selected by Pope Francis during his 12-year papacy. According to an AP report, many cardinals are still unfamiliar with each other’s views, creating a sense of uncertainty regarding the papal election process. The election requires two-thirds of the voting cardinals to agree on a candidate.
“There is the hope of unity,” said Argentine Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi, Archbishop of Cordoba, adding to the anticipation of how the election will unfold.
Conservative cardinals are reportedly focused on unifying the electors and returning the Church’s focus to core doctrines emphasized by St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Meanwhile, other cardinals aim to continue the work of Pope Francis, particularly his emphasis on social justice, outreach to marginalized groups, and criticism of global conflicts.
