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2025 papal conclave

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Papal conclave
May 2025
Dates and location
Begins on 7 May 2025
Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace,
Vatican City
Key officials
DeanGiovanni Battista Re
Sub-deanLeonardo Sandri
CamerlengoKevin Farrell
ProtopriestMichael Michai Kitbunchu
ProtodeaconDominique Mamberti
SecretaryIlson de Jesus Montanari
Election
Electors133 expected (list)
CandidatesSee 2025 papal conclave papabili
← 2013

A papal conclave is scheduled to begin on 7 May 2025 in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City to elect a new pope to succeed Francis, who died at the age of 88 on 21 April 2025.[1][2] Of the 135 eligible cardinal electors, 133 are expected to attend.

Papal election process

[edit]

As in the 2013 papal conclave, both the dean and vice-dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re and Leonardo Sandri, are over the age of 80 and ineligible to participate. The most senior cardinal bishop under the age of 80, Pietro Parolin, will preside over the conclave.[3]

Timing and procedures

[edit]

According to John Paul II's 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici gregis, as modified by Benedict XVI's 2013 motu proprio, Normas nonnullas, the cardinals have at least 15 days after the see became vacant to convene. The cardinals have the discretion to start the conclave earlier if all of those eligible to participate have arrived, or later if there are serious reasons for a deferral, but no later than 20 days after the seat becomes vacant.[4] On 28 April, the fifth general congregation of the cardinals set the conclave to begin on 7 May.[5][6]

Cardinal electors

[edit]
Cardinal electors by region
Region Number
  Italy
17
  Rest of Europe
35
  North America
20
  South America
17
  Asia
23
  Oceania
4
  Africa
17
Total 133

Cardinals aged 80 years or older before the day the papacy fell vacant are ineligible to participate. As of 21 April 2025, there are 252 cardinals, of whom 135 are under 80; 108 (80%) of the potential electors were appointed as cardinals by Francis.[7][8]

Since the 1975 promulgation of Romano Pontifici eligendo and Universi Dominici gregis, the nominal maximum number of cardinal electors has been 120. The 2025 conclave will be the first conclave where there are more than 120 eligible cardinals as of the day the papacy became vacant since the introduction of the 120 limit in 1975.[9][a] However, any cardinal under the age of 80 who has not renounced his voting rights (or had them removed) has the right under canon law to vote in a conclave. Many canon lawyers think that the pope makes an exception to his own rules when he appoints more than 120 electors and that all current cardinals under 80 are eligible to enter the conclave.[9][10] This assumption was confirmed by the general congregation of cardinals on 30 April, stating that all cardinal electors present for the conclave can vote.[11] Cardinals not eligible to vote can attend the general congregations, discussions that precede the conclave.[12]

Although the conclave cardinals may elect any Catholic male who has been baptized, they have elected only a fellow elector cardinal since the 1389 papal conclave.[13]

Non-participating

[edit]

While having previously indicated he would attempt participation in the conclave, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, having renounced his rights as a cardinal due to financial scandal,[14] stated on 29 April he would abide by Pope Francis's wish that he not participate.[15] Without Becciu, the total number of eligible electors will be 135.[16]

Health problems will prevent Cardinals Antonio Cañizares Llovera and John Njue from participating in the conclave,[17] reducing the number of participants to 133.

Speculation

[edit]

There was early speculation in February and March 2025 about an impending conclave after Francis developed bilateral pneumonia and was in intensive care at Gemelli Hospital.[18]

Due to the major international expansion of the membership of the College of Cardinals under Pope Francis to 252, with over 140 non-European cardinals being appointed during his pontificate, both the BBC and Time had suggested a non-European pope to be likely.[19][20] The 2025 conclave will have 135 electors from 71 countries, while the 2013 conclave had 115 electors from 48 countries, and the 2005 conclave had 115 electors from 52 countries. Some of the cardinals do not speak Italian, the working language of the Roman Curia.[21]

Following the Italian saying "fat pope, thin pope," some commentators predict that Francis's successor will be more conservative.[20][22][23] According to The Pillar, as of the third and fourth general congregations there is a substantive desire among the cardinals for a "ten-year pope" who is in his late seventies, will give the Church time to digest Francis's papacy, has experience in the Roman Curia, and will have a more internal, rather than external, focus.[24] The Wall Street Journal posits a younger pope as more likely.[25]

As of 5 May, given the complexities and heterogeneity of this conclave[26] compared to that which elected Pope Francis in two days in 2013,[27] Cardinal Rainer Woelki expected the 2025 conclave to take longer;[28] Cardinals Louis Sako[29] and Gregorio Rosa Chávez anticipated a short conclave of two or three days,[30] the latter remarking "maximum three days."[31][32]

Papabili

[edit]

By a wide variety of criteria, papal election observers consider some cardinals to be more likely to become pope than others – these are the papabili, the plural for papabile, an Italian word loosely translated as 'pope-able'. However, conclaves have not always chosen one of the papabili. Prior to their respective elections in 2013 and October 1978, Francis was considered to be too old and John Paul II was not considered to be in the running.[33] This is reflected in the saying "He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal,"[34] although, in reality, the frontrunner is often elected pope, as was the case in 1939 (Election of Pope Pius XII), 1963 (Election of Pope Paul VI), and 2005 (Election of Pope Benedict XVI).[35] Vatican expert Professor Anna Rowlands offers that any predictions are currently based on "pure speculation."[36] Media worldwide released papabili analyses on the day of Pope Francis's death.[33][37]

Betting

[edit]

There has been Internet betting on the next pope – betting on papal elections has a long history. Even before the announcement of the conclave itself prediction markets were using market mechanisms to calculate both whom might be in the running and their putative rankings.[25] As of 22 April, Cardinal Pietro Parolin was leading on most markets, followed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.[38] The betting market reflects a widespread cultural fascination with the papacy.[39]

Pre-conclave events

[edit]

General congregations

[edit]
Map of the major venues of the conclave.

Catholic canon law anticipates that general congregations, which are daily meetings of all cardinals regardless of elector status, will begin before all of the cardinals elector arrive in Rome. The initial meetings are focused on the logistics of the papal funeral and the conclave, including physical preparations at the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ (as a dormitory) and the Sistine Chapel (as a polling place).[40] Later ones, typically the eighth and following, shift to discussions about the needs of the Church and the world, and the issues facing the Roman Curia.[41][42][43] These later general congregations are guided by the reflections given by two "distinguished and morally authoritative" clerics who are selected by the cardinals.[40] The cardinals are also given the opportunity to make formal remarks regarding the issues facing the Church.[44] All of these speeches and discussions are termed interventi (interventions) in Italian.[45] The General Congregations meet in the New Synod Hall, on the first floor of the vestibule of the much larger Paul VI Audience Hall, located behind the Palace of the Holy Office, east of the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ.[46][47][48]

More broadly, these general congregations allow the cardinals to meet on their own initiative, thereby getting to know each other and exercise their spiritual discernment; many had never met, as Francis did not hold meetings of cardinals before his papal consistories.[49][50][51][a] Furthermore, the cardinals also have full access to global media and its diverse analyses and criteria for identifying the papabile.[52] Prior to leaving for Rome on 24 April, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David stressed that a conclave is not a political campaign, but a religious retreat. He also emphasized that it is a duty of the College of Cardinals to discern each other via prayer, personal letters, and even research on a website with biographical and other information set up for that purpose,[53] it is not a matter of candidates.[54] Both the formal and informal discussions are expected to be very substantive in preparation for, and in the hope for, a speedy conclave.[55][56] The discussions held at cardinals' own initiative—pratiche, or 'exercises'—are the most frank and candid.[57] By canon law, the congregations are bound to the same secrecy as the conclave.[58]

Daily summary

[edit]
Cardinals and bishops in the New Synod Hall, one of the venues for the general congregations before the conclave

For the 2025 conclave, the general congregations will meet every day following Francis's death until the beginning of the conclave proper on 7 May, excluding 26 and 27 April and 1 and 4 May. The general congregation did not meet on 1 May, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, a public holiday for the Holy See.[59][60]

First general congregation, 22 April
The approximately sixty cardinals present listened to Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell read the will and testament of Pope Francis. The canonization of Carlo Acutis, originally scheduled to take place in Rome on 27 April, was suspended, and the cardinals confirmed the date for the papal funeral. This meeting also dealt with the logistics of the funeral.[61][62] The attending cardinals also took the oath of secrecy concerning their meetings.[63] Despite the fact that general congregations are closed to non-cardinals, Sister Simona Brambilla, a religious sister and the first woman to head a Vatican department, was accidentally sent a standard email inviting her to participate.[64]
Second general congregation, 23 April
The program for the novemdiales, or nine-day period of mourning for the deceased pope, was approved in the presence of 103 cardinals.[65] Norberto Rivera Carrera stated that the discussions were mostly procedural in nature, as many cardinals from around the world were still traveling.[66]
Third general congregation, 24 April
The two conclave preachers, Donato Ogliari and Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, were appointed. The 113 cardinals present began a conversation about the church and the world, with 34 of them speaking.[67][68]
Fourth general congregation, 25 April
The 149 cardinals in attendance listened to a presentation on the funeral rite for Pope Francis.[69] By this time nearly 70 formal speeches, or "interventions", had been given.[70] There was also discussion concerning the status of Giovanni Angelo Becciu as a cardinal elector among the participants, which continued in the following congregations until his 29 April acceptance of his non-elector status.[51]
Fifth general congregation, 28 April
The cardinals decided that the conclave would begin on 7 May, 16 days after Pope Francis's death.[71][72] This meeting also discussed the clerical sexual abuse crisis, challenges in evangelization, and interfaith relationships. Twenty cardinals delivered interventions on themes relevant to the Church's future. It was decided that general congregations would continue to be held each morning at 9 am except for 1 and 4 May.[59] Conservative cardinals, such as Gerhard Müller and Francis Arinze (not an elector), were particularly vocal during this session.[73][74]
Sixth general congregation, 29 April
The start time for the conclave was set at 4:30 pm, and Cardinal Re was chosen as the celebrant for the opening Mass for the conclave, which will be celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica at 10 am on 7 May.[75] Donato Ogliari gave his scheduled reflection to the 183 cardinals present, 124 of them being electors, and emphasized the theme of synodality from the Francis papacy, as well as the importance of dialogue.[73][75][76]
Seventh general congregation, 30 April
The Vatican's financial issues were discussed by the 180 present cardinals, 124 of whom were cardinal electors.[77][78] Rainer Woelki stated that the meetings thus far had been "fraternal and cordial ... a very concentrated, calm, factual working atmosphere."[28] Beniamino Stella made a very strongly-worded critique of Francis' decision to allow lay persons to exercise powers of church governance formerly reserved to clergy. This surprised many cardinals because Stella is viewed as one of Francis' most trusted advisors and a prominent supporter of Parolin.[79][80][81]
Eighth general congregation, 2 May
Just over 180 cardinals were present, among them more than 120 electors. Twenty-five members of the college spoke.[82]
Ninth general congregation, 3 May
177 cardinals were present, of whom 127 were electors. Twenty-six cardinals spoke. Among the subjects discussed were communion within the Church and fraternity with the world, the hope that the next pope would be prophetic, and this year's Jubilee.[83]

Logistical preparations

[edit]
Cardinals participating in the conclave stay at the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ.

On 22 April, members of the papal staff and household were asked to vacate their rooms at the Domus Sanctæ Marthae following the death of Pope Francis in his suite on the second floor. This was to allow for conclave preparations in that building to begin. These include setting up barriers or opaque film at the windows to prevent outside contact, as well as the construction of spaces for the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance, private prayer, and meals.[84][85][86] Outside contact is also inhibited through signal jammers which eliminate threats utilizing Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks.[86][87][88] Because the building has only 129 bedrooms in total, it may be necessary to use other Vatican facilities to provide accommodations for the increased number of electors.[89][90][91] This also does not include the other support personnel who are allowed to live in the Domus during a conclave.[85] Rooms at Santa Marta Vecchia, next door to the main dormitory will also be used for supplemental space.[92][93][94]

On 23 April, the Vatican Museums announced the closure of the Sistine Chapel beginning on 28 April, due to the needs of the conclave.[95][96] These include the addition of tables and chairs in the manner of choir stalls and the covering of windows, as well as the installation of the stove which burns the ballots following voting and the chimney which signals the results of each round.[59][97][98] A new floor was also installed in the chapel, which the Vatican says is to protect the marble inlay of the surface and to smooth out the steps in the space. It also houses cellphone jammers to prevent leaks.[98][99] Both the Domus Sanctæ Marthae and the Sistine Chapel are thoroughly inspected in advance of the conclave for any unauthorized devices.[86] On 2 May, Vatican firefighters installed the chimney for the Sistine Chapel.[100]

The Vatican Gendarmerie, under the leadership of Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti, faces many counter-espionage challenges in protecting conclave integrity.[88] Possible threats include artificial intelligence systems, drones, microscopic microphones, misinformation campaigns, the ubiquity of social media, and even satellites. Concerns have also been raised by commentators about the possibility that disinformation campaigns and fake news might have an effect on the conclave, with social media hoaxes attempting to discredit certain papal candidates.[21][86] The Corps of Gendarmerie will use the 650 security cameras in the Vatican, as well as encrypted messaging along with endpoint detection and response to secure the conclave.[88]

The 2025 conclave will feature simple dishes typical of Lazio and Abruzzo, the regions of Italy nearest the Vatican.[101]

Conclave

[edit]

7 May

[edit]

On 7 May, the conclave to elect Francis's successor will begin. The official start will be preceded by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrating the proper Mass Pro Eligendo Pontifice ("For the Election of the Pontiff") in St. Peter's Basilica at 10 a.m.[102] At 4:30 p.m., the conclave will officially begin with a prayer service in the Pauline Chapel, at the end of which the electors will sing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus ("Come, Creator Spirit"). The voting cardinals will then swear themselves to secrecy before entering into the Sistine Chapel and the conclave itself.[75][99][103] All support staff, such as sacristans, medical staff, elevator operators, and the director of security services for the Vatican, will also take their oath of secrecy along with the officers and officials of the conclave on 5 May.[93][104][105] Cantalamessa will offer a reflection to the cardinals following their procession into the conclave.[106] A single ballot may be taken that afternoon.[5]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b There have been more than 120 cardinal electors at several other points since 1975, but not at the time of a conclave.

References

[edit]
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