when is the conclave

The conclave to elect the new pope began on May 7th, 2025. This date was set by the cardinals present in Rome and follows the tradition that a conclave must start 15 to 20 days after the pope's chair becomes vacant. The event took place in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, where the cardinal electors gather to vote for the new pope in a secretive process. The conclave typically begins with a solemn Mass followed by the cardinals taking oaths and proceeding to the Sistine Chapel to start voting. This was the first conclave held with more than 120 cardinal electors, totaling 133 for this particular election.