Mon Apr 28 11:37:31 UTC 2025: ## Conclave to Elect New Pope Set for May 7th
**Vatican City, April 28, 2025** – Catholic cardinals have announced that the Conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis will begin on May 7th. The decision was made following a meeting at the Vatican, the first since Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday. The Conclave, comprised of approximately 135 cardinals under 80 years old, will convene in the Sistine Chapel after a solemn mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
While previous Conclaves concluded within two days, some cardinals expect this one to last longer. This is due to the fact that many cardinals appointed by Pope Francis, including those from countries previously unrepresented in the College of Cardinals (such as Myanmar, Haiti, and Rwanda), have not previously met. This lack of familiarity may necessitate extended deliberations.
The late Pope Francis’s funeral drew an estimated 400,000 mourners, prompting some, like Cardinal Walter Kasper, to suggest the next Pope should continue his reforming style. However, a conservative bloc within the College of Cardinals is expected to advocate for a return to more traditional Church practices. The outcome of the Conclave remains uncertain, with the potential for significant shifts in the direction of the Catholic Church.
First Piper 