when will conclave begin

The conclave to elect the new pope officially began on May 7, 2025, at 4 am ET (10 am in Rome). It started with a mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, followed by the cardinals proceeding into the Sistine Chapel to cast their first vote. The conclave process involves daily voting rounds until a two-thirds majority elects the new pope. This date and schedule were agreed upon by the cardinals present in Rome after the passing of Pope Francis, and the voting takes place inside the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, which is closed to visitors during the conclave.