Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Cardinals gathered at the Vatican have agreed to begin the papal conclave on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis.
The decision to begin the conclave came during the fifth General Congregation, attended by approximately 180 of the 252 cardinals from around the globe.
The term “conclave” originates from the Latin cum (with) and clave (key), referring to the practice of locking the cardinals inside a secure and closed space, completely isolated from the outside world with no communication or media access until a new pontiff is chosen.
According to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy to the Holy See, over 100 of those in attendance are eligible to vote in the conclave, known as cardinal electors.
These cardinals have already arrived in Rome and are preparing for the conclave, which will take place in the Sistine Chapel, the traditional site for papal elections.
Read Also:
Pope Francis Dies at 88, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Compassion and Reform
Under the rules established in the Apostolic Constitution, only cardinals under the age of 80 are permitted to vote and be elected as pope. Of the 252 cardinals representing 90 countries, 135 meet the criteria as electors, including Indonesia’s Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo.
Among the 135 cardinal electors, 53 are from Europe, 23 from Asia, 18 from Africa, 17 from the United States, 16 from South America, 16 from North America (excluding the U.S.), 4 from Central America, and 4 from Oceania.
Roughly 110 of the cardinal electors were appointed by Pope Francis during his 12-year papacy. The remaining electors include six appointed by Pope John Paul II and 24 by Pope Benedict XVI.
To be elected pope, a cardinal must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by those present. Voting will occur four times daily which is twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon until a consensus is reached.
With preparations now underway, global attention turns to the Vatican as the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new spiritual leader following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. He was laid to rest on April 26 at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
(Raidi/Agung)
