when is the papal conclave 2025

The papal conclave of 2025 began on May 7, 2025. This conclave was called to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The conclave took place in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and started 16 days after the pope's death, within the required timeframe of 15 to 20 days after the papacy becomes vacant. The cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, gathered to vote for the new pontiff, with the process involving multiple rounds of voting until a two-thirds majority is reached. The conclave of 2025 concluded with the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV.