VATICAN CITY, April 29: The Vatican has officially announced that the conclave to elect the next Pope will commence on May 7, according to the Holy See Press Office.
This pivotal gathering has been convened following the death of Pope Francis last week at the age of 88, marking the end of a papacy that emphasized pastoral outreach and inclusivity within the Roman Catholic Church.
The decision to begin the conclave on May 7 was finalized during the fifth General Congregation of the Cardinals currently present in Rome. Approximately 180 cardinals took part in the meeting where they reached a consensus on the date for the start of the historic proceedings.
As is tradition, the conclave will take place inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, which will remain closed to visitors for the duration of the process.
With just over a week until the conclave begins, the cardinals are expected to engage in continued discussions, alliance-building, and careful evaluation of potential candidates. Some frontrunners are expected to support a continuation of Pope Francis’ inclusive vision for the Church, while others may push for a return to more traditional doctrines and practices.
The Cardinals are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday morning, with campaigning and deliberations likely to intensify in the lead-up to the conclave.
