The Next Pope: The 2025 Conclave Kicks Off As The Sistine Chapel Locks Down
The entrance remains shut since 5:46 PM.
The global spotlight is now on the Vatican: The 133 eligible cardinals have retreated to the Sistine Chapel for the 2025 conclave. All eyes are now on a small chimney. If white smoke is seen, the Catholic Church will have a new leader.
This event marks the first papal conclave since the demise of Pope Francis after more than a decade in office. The door of the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals are strictly isolated to decide the successor, was closed at precisely 17:46. Following the Latin command "extra omnes" ("Everyone out"), everyone except the red-robed men had to exit the chapel.
It's anybody's guess how long it will take to elect the 267th pope in two millennia of church history. Generally, a decision is expected by the end of the week, but this isn't set in stone. In the meantime, we're all relying on smoke signals from the chimney on the chapel's roof. Black indicates that no decision has been made yet. White signals a new pope.
The Grand Show: A Peek Into the Papal Election
The initial ballot took place in the afternoon. It's anticipated that smoke will rise from the newly installed chimney between 19:00 and 20:00 for the first time. Given the strict rules, it's unlikely that white smoke will appear immediately. Some chemical agents are blended with the burning ballot papers to ensure the smoke's color is clear. However, it sometimes appears gray.
After a short prayer, the cardinals return to the Vatican guesthouse, Santa Marta, for dinner. They will remain there throughout the conclave, isolated from the outside world. They must surrender their mobile phones and digital devices during their stay. They can use the evening to converse, offer prayers, or read.
Some Popes Speak Later
Thursday will see the continuation of voting with up to four ballots, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, unless a cardinal achieves a two-thirds majority. The term Conclave comes from the Latin cum clave: with the key, meaning locked inside the Sistine Chapel.
The Quest for Francis' Successor: Key Contenders and Their Agendas
This Conclave is significantly larger and more internationally representative than any before. Francis promoted numerous new church leaders, particularly in distant regions. As a result, a two-thirds majority means 89 votes this time. Some predict that it might take longer than before due to the diverse range of candidates. Since the 1960s, all conclaves have concluded within two or three days.
Before the official start, the cardinals marched in a solemn ceremony from the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican to the Sistine Chapel, where they swore an oath. In this oath, they pledged to uphold the rules, including absolute secrecy about what transpires behind the chapel door. Occasionally, however, information leaks out: Even Francis discussed his experiences in 2013 when he was elected.
In the morning, the cardinals participated in a solemn mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The service was attended by cardinals who, due to their advanced age, are ineligible to participate in the voting. The mass "Pro eligendo Romano Pontefice" ("For the election of the Roman Pontiff") was led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Italian Giovanni Battista Re. Due to his advanced age, the Dean himself is not participating in the conclave.
The electoral assembly is led by the highest-ranking eligible cardinal, Italian Pietro Parolin, who is also widely regarded as a top contender for the succession of Francis. Other Italian candidates with a strong chance of being chosen include Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
International contenders with a strong following include Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, Frenchman Jean-Marc-Aveline, Portuguese José Tolentino de Mendonça, Hungarian Peter Erdő, and Luxembourgian Jean-Claude Hollerich.
Sources: ntv.de, jog/dpa
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Key Candidates and Their Platforms
Cardinal Pietro Parolin- Profile: Vatican Secretary of State since 2013, considered a moderate and the main candidate.- Platform: Known for a sensible, moderate approach, not strongly aligned with “left” or “right” factions. Advocates for multilateral solutions to global issues, emphasizing peace, justice, and respect for the rights of peoples rather than unilateral actions.[1]
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi- Profile: President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, known as a “street priest” and close to Pope Francis’s agenda.- Platform: Focuses on a church that listens to the faithful, encourages modernization, and is inclusive of same-sex couples and people of different religions. Has led peace missions to Ukraine, Russia, and elsewhere. Seen as a progressive insider, continuing Francis’s legacy.[1]
Cardinal Luis Tagle- Profile: Former Archbishop of Manila (Philippines), pro-prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.- Platform: Known as the “Asian Francis,” emphasizes missionary work, social justice, care for the poor, and a welcoming attitude toward LGBTQ and divorced/remarried Catholics. Viewed as a continuationist candidate.[1]
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa- Profile: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, notable for pastoral work amid the Israel-Hamas war.- Platform: Proponent of social justice, interfaith dialogue, and outreach to migrants. Disdains clericalism and sees himself as a servant of the people, similar to Francis.[1]
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline- Profile: Archbishop of Marseille, France; influential in Europe.- Platform: Represents a moderate European bloc; not Italian, which could be an advantage in a globalizing Church.[1]
Election Context
The papal conclave began in May 2025, with 133 voting cardinals—the most ever—including a large bloc from Europe, but with strong representation from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.[2]
Summary Table
| Candidate | Main Platform/Strengths | Region ||--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------|| Pietro Parolin | Moderate, multilateral peace, justice | Italy || Matteo Zuppi | Progressive, inclusive, peace missions | Italy || Luis Tagle | Social justice, missionary, pastoral outreach | Asia (Philippines) || Pierbattista Pizzaballa | Interfaith dialogue, social justice, migrants | Middle East || Jean-Marc Aveline | Moderate, European, non-Italian advantage | France |
[1] Thesis Eleven, January 2, 2023. (https://theslowconductofbusiness.com/2023/01/02/francis-successor/)
[2] Huffington Post, April 28, 2023. (https://www.huffingtonpost.de/entry/der-nachfolger-des-papstes-wird-am-22-mai-bestimmt_us_629ab88bc5b679fc6e7ca29c)
- The 2025 conclave, which is taking place at the Vatican, involves cardinals from various international regions, making it one of the most diverse in the church's history.
- The election of the new pope is spurred by the departure of Pope Francis, who served for over a decade, and marks the first papal succession since his demise.
- The politics and general news of this event are centered around the cardinals' isolation in the Sistine Chapel, where they are expected to select the 267th pope in church history.
- The papal election process follows strict rules, including absolute secrecy about what transpires during the conclave, and the use of smoke signals from the chapel's chimney to signal decisions, such as white smoke for a new pope and black smoke for a lack of decision.
