Cardinals gathered for a holy mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on April 27, 2025, just a day after the funeral of Pope Francis. Following the 88-year-old pope’s passing on April 21, the red-hatted cardinals were expected to decide on the date for the conclave to elect a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Since Pope Francis’s death, dozens of cardinals from around the globe have convened at the Vatican, but speculation about the next pope’s identity remains uncertain. Spanish Cardinal Jose Cobo, in a Sunday interview, commented on the unpredictability of the upcoming conclave, comparing it to Pope Francis’s own tenure, which was marked by unexpected developments. Cobo noted that this conclave is especially unpredictable, given the number of cardinals from outside Europe, many of whom have never met before.
The funeral for Pope Francis on April 26 drew hundreds of thousands of attendees, including world leaders, royalty, and pilgrims. Afterward, large crowds gathered at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome to pay their respects at his marble tomb, located outside the Vatican walls, in accordance with his wishes.
Several candidates are being discussed to succeed Pope Francis. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican’s Secretary of State, is widely considered the frontrunner. Other prominent contenders include Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson, and Cardinal Robert Sarah from Guinea. Other names include Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna.
Ricardo Cruz, a 44-year-old Filipino data specialist who visited Pope Francis’s tomb, expressed his hope that the next pope would be from Asia but emphasized the importance of selecting the “right pope” for the Church.
While Pope Francis’s reforms garnered widespread respect, they also created divisions, particularly among conservative factions in the United States and Africa. Experts believe that the cardinals will seek a successor capable of uniting the Church during a period of polarization.
Cardinals have held several general meetings to discuss the papal funeral and preparations for the conclave. The fifth meeting will be held at 9:00 AM (0700 GMT) on Monday, April 28, where the date for the conclave is expected to be set. The conclave could begin on May 5 or 6, following the end of the nine days of mourning for the pope, which concludes on May 4.
Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi described the atmosphere among the cardinals as “open” and noted that discussions have focused more on spiritual matters than political or combative ones.
Out of the 252 cardinals, only 135 are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in the conclave. Although approximately 80% of the voting cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, this does not guarantee that his successor will share his vision. Most electors are relatively young and new to the conclave process.
The conclave will take place in the Sistine Chapel, following strict voting procedures. The cardinals will cast up to four votes per day until a candidate receives the required two-thirds majority. Fewer than half of the electors are European.
Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga of the Central African Republic, reflecting on the qualities needed in the next pope, emphasized the importance of a leader with a universal heart, who can offer stability and bold leadership in these uncertain times.
Nzubechukwu Eze.
