Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, has been laid to rest following a deeply moving funeral attended by hundreds of thousands in St. Peter’s Square. As the first Latin American pope in the history of the Catholic Church, his death marks the end of an era. Now, all eyes turn to the upcoming conclave, where the cardinals will confidentially select the next pontiff.
The conclave, a centuries-old tradition, is where the Catholic Church’s next leader is chosen. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and this process is shrouded in secrecy to prevent outside influence. The term “conclave” comes from the Latin “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” symbolizing the closed-door nature of the process.
Conclaves have historically brought significant change to the Church, and each pope leaves a unique legacy. The 2013 conclave, which elected Pope Francis after just five rounds of voting, was notably swift compared to earlier conclaves, which sometimes lasted months due to intense internal disagreements.
As the 267th pope is selected, the cardinals will gather once more in Vatican City, located at the heart of Rome. Once the new pope is chosen, he will confirm his acceptance and select his papal name. The world will know the result when white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pontiff. Until then, the Catholic Church remains in a state of “Sede Vacante” — awaiting its new leader.
The pope’s role is significant, guiding over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Catholics see the pope as the successor to St. Peter and a direct link to Jesus Christ, shaping the Church’s beliefs and teachings.