Conclave to elect next pope will begin May 7 April 28, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Remembering Pope Francis, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave May 7, the Vatican announced. The cardinals will first celebrate the “Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff” in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning before processing into the Sistine Chapel that evening. Cardinals Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui, Central African Republic, left, and Timothy M. Dolan of New York, right, approach the Paul VI Audience Hall ahead of the fifth general congregation meeting of cardinals at the Vatican April 28, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) The Vatican Museums announced that the Sistine Chapel would be closed to visitors beginning April 28 to allow preparations for the conclave to begin. The preparations include the installation of a stove to burn the cardinals’ ballots and a chimney on the roof to signal the election results to the world. The date for the conclave was set during the fifth general congregation meeting of cardinals April 28, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told reporters at a briefing later that day. The general congregation meeting was the first after a two-day pause to allow cardinals to participate in the funeral rites for Pope Francis. More than 180 cardinals attended the April 28 meeting, including over 100 cardinal electors. During the session, about 20 cardinals offered reflections on the state of the church, its mission in the world, the challenges it faces and the qualities needed in the next pope, Bruni said. Topics addressed included evangelization, interfaith relations and the ongoing need to address clerical sexual abuse, he added. The cardinals also discussed whether Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who relinquished the rights associated with being a cardinal after he was forced to resign in 2020, would be permitted to participate in the conclave. Bruni said no decision had yet been made, and Cardinal Becciu has been attending the general congregation meetings. Looking ahead to the next session, Bruni said the general congregation meeting April 29 would open with a reflection by Benedictine Father Donato Ogliari, abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome and a member of the Dicastery for Bishops. As cardinals entered the Vatican for the morning’s session, Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm was asked by reporters if he expected a long conclave. “I think it will be,” he said, “because up to now we don’t know each other.” Meanwhile, Cardinal Walter Kasper, former president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity who is past the age limit to vote in the conclave, told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that he hopes the cardinal-electors “come to a consensus on the next pope very soon, in the footsteps of Francis.” Read More Vatican News ‘Hidden Glory’: Highlights from Bishop Varden’s meditations for papal Lenten retreat Augustinian shares how Pope Leo fought evil in Peru as new bust unveiled in Chicago Pope Leo XIV pens book introduction: ‘Only peaceful hearts can build a world of peace’ Our Lady of Guadalupe is the model of ‘perfect inculturation,’ Pope Leo says Pope Leo XIV to embark on 10-day Africa tour, trips to Spain, Monaco Spanish bishops clarify Pope Leo XIV’s remarks following media reports Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
