when is conclave 2025

The conclave to elect the next pope, known as Conclave 20 in 2025, is scheduled to begin on May 7, 2025. The cardinals will gather in Vatican City, specifically in the Sistine Chapel, to conduct the voting process. This timing is typically set 15 to 20 days after the death of the preceding pope, which in this case was Pope Francis who passed away on April 21, 2025. The conclave starts with a morning Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and the voting takes place in the afternoon. The conclave will continue until a new pope receives a two- thirds majority vote among the cardinals under the age of 80 who are eligible to vote. The duration of the conclave can vary, with voting rounds occurring up to four times a day, and it will only conclude when a pope is elected.