Cardinals to convene in May to Elect New Pope
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Catholic Church is preparing for a conclave to elect his successor. The central question on the minds of catholics worldwide: Who will be the next pontiff?
A new profile details the 133 cardinals who will participate in the upcoming conclave, scheduled to begin May 7 in the Sistine Chapel. These cardinals will gather to purposeful and ultimately cast their votes for the next leader of the catholic Church.

Further facts, including profiles of the cardinals and potential candidates to succeed pope Francis, is available in a downloadable PDF.
The Papal Transition: Your Questions Answered
Who Decides the Next Pope?
Following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21st, the selection of the next pontiff falls to the College of Cardinals. These are the highest-ranking members of the Catholic Church, appointed by the Pope himself. They convene in a special meeting known as a conclave to elect the new leader.
What is a conclave?
A conclave is a private meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a new Pope. The word “conclave” comes from the Latin “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” emphasizing the seclusion of the event. The cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to purposeful and vote.
When and Where will the Next Conclave Take Place?
Based on the provided information, the conclave is scheduled to begin on May 7th and will be held in the Sistine Chapel within Vatican City.
Who Participates in the Conclave?
The article states that 133 cardinals will participate in the upcoming conclave.
what is the Role of the cardinals in the Conclave?
The cardinals gather with a “purposeful” intent: to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. Their primary role is to cast their votes untill a candidate receives the necessary two-thirds majority.
What Happens During the Conclave Voting process?
While the specifics of the voting process are not provided in the source material, the central function of the conclave is to cast votes until a decision is made.
Where Can I Find More Information about the Cardinals?
A downloadable PDF provides further facts. Information in the PDF includes profiles of the cardinals and potential candidates who may succeed Pope Francis.
Are There Any Potential Candidates to Succeed Pope Francis?
Profiles and information of potential candidates are available in the downloadable PDF.
Who are Some of the Cardinals Involved?
The image accompanying the article shows Peruvian cardinals Carlos Castillo and Pedro Barreto attending general congregations prior to the conclave.
Key Timeline:
Here’s a simple summary of the key events:
- April 21: Death of Pope Francis.
- May 7: Scheduled start of the Conclave.
