{{Short description|none}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox papal conclave | month = May | year = 2025 | dates = 7–8 May 2025 | location = [[Sistine Chapel]], [[Apostolic Palace]],<br>[[Vatican City]] | dean = [[Giovanni Battista Re]] | vicedean = [[Leonardo Sandri]] | camerlengo = [[Kevin Joseph Farrell]] | protopriest = [[Michael Michai Kitbunchu]] | protodeacon = [[Dominique Mamberti]] | secretary = [[Ilson de Jesus Montanari]] | electors = 133 ([[Cardinal electors in the 2025 conclave|list]]) | candidates = See {{lang|it|[[#Papabili|papabili]]}} | ballots = 4 | pope_elected = [[Pope Leo XIV|Robert Francis Prevost]] | nametaken = Leo XIV | image = Leo XIV (13 October 2025) (cropped).jpg | prevconclave_year = 2013 | prevconclave_link = 2013 conclave | nextconclave_year = | nextconclave_link = }} A [[conclave]] was held on 7 and 8 May 2025 to elect a new [[pope]] to succeed [[Pope Francis|Francis]], who had died on 21 April 2025. Of the 135 eligible [[Cardinal electors in the 2025 conclave|cardinal electors]], all but two attended. On the fourth ballot, the conclave elected Cardinal [[Robert Francis Prevost]], the prefect of the [[Dicastery for Bishops]] and president of the [[Pontifical Commission for Latin America]]. After accepting his election, he [[Papal name|took the name]] ''Leo XIV''.
==Papal election process== The papal election process proper began sixteen days after the 21 April 2025 [[Death and funeral of Pope Francis|death of Pope Francis]]. As in the [[2013 conclave]], the [[Dean of the College of Cardinals|dean]] and vice-dean of the [[College of Cardinals]] were both over 80 and ineligible to participate. In 2025, these were [[Giovanni Battista Re]] and [[Leonardo Sandri]], respectively. The most senior elector under 80, [[Pietro Parolin]], who was also Cardinal Secretary of State, presided over the 2025 conclave.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown|first=B. Kevin|date=22 April 2025 |title=Electing a New Pope and Remembering Francis |url=https://www.gonzaga.edu/news-events/stories/2025/4/22/electing-a-new-pope-and-remembering-francis |access-date=23 April 2025 |publisher=Gonzaga University |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423012607/https://www.gonzaga.edu/news-events/stories/2025/4/22/electing-a-new-pope-and-remembering-francis |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Timing and procedures=== According to [[John Paul II]]'s 1996 apostolic constitution ''[[Universi Dominici gregis]]'', as amended by [[Benedict XVI]]'s 2013 apostolic letter ''[[Normas nonnullas]]'',<ref name="Bonanata 2025">{{cite web |last=Bonanata |first=Antonio |date=2 May 2025 |title=Il Conclave: la legge fondamentale per scegliere il Papa, la Costituzione 'Universi Dominici Gregis' |url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2025/05/il-conclave-la-legge-fondamentale-per-scegliere-il-papa-la-costituzione-universi-dominici-gregis-14f707da-c96b-4f58-a587-7a5aa5636b3f.html |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=RaiNews |language=it |archive-date=7 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507224118/https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2025/05/il-conclave-la-legge-fondamentale-per-scegliere-il-papa-la-costituzione-universi-dominici-gregis-14f707da-c96b-4f58-a587-7a5aa5636b3f.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Caputo 2025">{{cite web |last=Caputo |first=Maria Teresa |date=5 May 2025 |title=Alle soglie del Conclave: anche un laico può diventare Papa |url=https://www.altalex.com/documents/news/2025/05/05/soglie-conclave-anche-laico-puo-diventare-papa |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=Altalex |language=it}}</ref> the [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinals]] had at least 15 days after the [[Holy See]] became vacant to convene. The cardinals had the discretion to start the conclave earlier or up to 20 days after the pope's [[cathedra]] became vacant.<ref name="Bonanata 2025"/> On 28 April 2025, two days after Francis's funeral,<ref>{{cite web |date=27 April 2025|title=Days ahead at Vatican: New pope's 1st trip? Canonizations? |url=https://aleteia.org/2025/04/27/days-ahead-at-the-vatican-new-popes-first-trip-canonizations |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Aleteia |archive-date=28 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428192304/https://aleteia.org/2025/04/27/days-ahead-at-the-vatican-new-popes-first-trip-canonizations |url-status=live }}</ref> the fifth general congregation of the cardinals set the conclave to begin on 7 May 2025.<ref name="Zengarini-2025">{{cite news |last1=Zengarini |first1=Lisa |date=28 April 2025 |title=Conclave to elect new Pope to begin on May 7th |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-elect-new-pope-cardinals-beginning-date-may-2025.html |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=Vatican News |archive-date=28 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428182858/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-elect-new-pope-cardinals-beginning-date-may-2025.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/28/conclave-vatican-new-pope-election-live-updates/83322545007/|title=Conclave to elect new pope begins May 7: When will we see white smoke? Updates|first=John|last=Bacon|work=USA Today|date=28 April 2025|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>
===Cardinal electors=== {{Main|Cardinal electors in the 2025 conclave}} {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders floatright" |+Cardinal electors by region |- !colspan="2" style="padding:1em"|[[File:Conclave 2025 by continent.svg|frameless|200px|center|alt=Graphic with the numbers of cardinal electors in attendance from each region]] |- !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Number |- |scope="row"|{{Legend|#0C2779|Italy}} |style="text-align:center"|17 |- |scope="row" data-sort-value="Europe, Rest of"|{{Legend|#6767E2|Rest of Europe}} |style="text-align:center"|35 |- |scope="row" data-sort-value="America, North"|{{Legend|#803D2C|North America}} |style="text-align:center"|20 |- |scope="row" data-sort-value="America, South"|{{Legend|#D49382|South America}} |style="text-align:center"|17 |- |scope="row"|{{Legend|#F7CC0C|Asia}} |style="text-align:center"|23 |- |scope="row"|{{Legend|#F7CC0C|Oceania}} |style="text-align:center"|4 |- |scope="row"|{{Legend|#434343|Africa}} |style="text-align:center"|17 |- !style="text-align:center"|Total !133 |} Cardinals aged 80 years or older on the day before the papacy fell vacant were ineligible to participate. At the time of Francis's death, there were 252 cardinals, of whom 135 were under 80 and thus were not precluded from participation and voting in the conclave.<ref name="BBC-2025">{{cite web |date=23 April 2025 |title=What happens after the death of Pope Francis and when is the funeral? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70q0980224o |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=BBC }}</ref> Of these potential electors, 108 (80%) had been elevated to the College of Cardinals by Francis;<ref>{{cite news |last=Sherwood|first=Harriet |title=Conclave: the Vatican's secret process for choosing a new pope |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/conclave-vatican-secret-process-for-choosing-new-pope |access-date=21 April 2025|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|date=21 April 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Christopher |date=22 April 2025 |title=Who will be the next pope? Inside the race to succeed Francis |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/who-will-be-next-pope-inside-race-succeed-francis |website=National Catholic Reporter}}</ref> the cardinal electors were also global and more diverse than in any prior conclave — they came from more than 70 countries<ref>{{cite news |last=Pietromarchi |first=Virginia |date=7 May 2025 |title='They are looking for a mender': Catholic cardinals meet to elect next pope |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/7/they-are-looking-for-a-mender-catholic-cardinals-meet-to-elect-next-pope |access-date=13 May 2025 |agency=Al Jazeera |archive-date=13 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513083636/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/7/they-are-looking-for-a-mender-catholic-cardinals-meet-to-elect-next-pope |url-status=live }}</ref> and in many cases were the first cardinal ever appointed from their country.{{citation needed|date=April 2026}}
Since the 1975 promulgation of ''[[Romano Pontifici eligendo]]'' by [[Pope Paul VI]] and the 1996 apostolic constitution ''[[Universi Dominici gregis]]'' by [[Pope John Paul II]], the maximum number of cardinal electors had been 'set' at 120.<ref name="Hodge-2025">{{cite web |last=Hodge |first=Brendan |date=24 April 2025 |title=The cardinal electors, by the numbers |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-cardinal-electors-by-the-numbers |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=The Pillar}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sutherland |first=Callum |date=3 May 2025 |title=10 Surprising Facts About Papal Conclaves |url=https://time.com/7282265/papal-conclaves-surprising-facts-history/ |access-date=13 May 2025 |magazine=Time}}</ref> At 133, the 2025 conclave was the largest ever,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Giuffrida |first=Angela |date=2025-05-07 |title=Cardinals begin choosing new pope in largest ever conclave |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/07/cardinals-begin-choosing-new-pope-conclave |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and the first conclave where this purported limit was exceeded on the day the papacy became vacant.{{efn|name="120+"|There have been more than 120 cardinal electors at several other points since 1975 but not at the time of a conclave.<ref name="Hodge-2025"/><ref name="Campisi & Gussie 2025"/>}}<ref name="Campisi & Gussie 2025">{{cite web |last1=Campisi |first1=Tiziana |last2=Gussie |first2=Kielce |date=1 May 2025 |title=Upcoming conclave will be first with more than 120 Cardinal electors |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/this-is-first-conclave-held-with-number-exceeding-120-electors.html |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=14 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514003250/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/this-is-first-conclave-held-with-number-exceeding-120-electors.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Any cardinal under the age of 80 not having renounced or lost his voting rights has the right to vote in a conclave under [[Catholic canon law]]. A pope appointing more than 120 eligible cardinal electors effectively renders the 1975 limit inapplicable,<ref name="Jeyaretnam-2025">{{cite magazine |last=Jeyaretnam |first=Miranda |date=23 April 2025 |title=Did Pope Francis 'Pack' the Conclave? |url=https://time.com/7279520/francis-appointed-cardinals-elect-new-pope-vatican-conclave-court-packing/ |access-date=23 April 2025 |magazine=Time }}</ref> as popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis all did;<ref name="Campisi & Gussie 2025" /> although in the cases of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, the 120 limit at the conclave was not surpassed.<ref name="Hodge-2025" />
On 30 April 2025, the general congregation of cardinals confirmed that all cardinal electors present for the conclave beginning on 7 May could vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Cardinals recognize right to vote of all Cardinal electors in conclave |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-cardinal-electors-votes-133-becciu.html |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=Vatican News }}</ref> Ineligible cardinals could nevertheless attend the general congregations and participate in discussions preceding the conclave.<ref>{{cite news| last=Villalvilla | first=Elena L. | title=El Vaticano pierde a uno de sus cardenales españoles electores: Antonio Cañizares no participará en el cónclave | website=infobae | date=22 April 2025 | url=https://www.infobae.com/espana/2025/04/22/el-vaticano-pierde-a-uno-de-sus-cardenales-espanoles-electores-antonio-canizares-no-participara-en-el-conclave/ | language=es}}</ref> Although the conclave cardinals have the authority to elect any Catholic male who has been [[baptized]],<ref name="Caputo 2025"/> the last time a non-cardinal was elected was in the [[1378 conclave]].<ref>{{cite web |date=28 April 2025|title=Conclave explained: A simple guide to the papal election |url=https://international.la-croix.com/religion/conclave-explained-a-simple-guide-to-the-papal-election |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=La Croix International }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McDonald|first=Matthew |date=8 May 2025 |title=Surprising Firsts (and Lasts) in Papal-Election History |url=https://www.ncregister.com/features/surprising-firsts-and-lasts-in-papal-elections |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=National Catholic Register}}</ref>
====Non-participating==== After saying he would try to participate in the conclave,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Said-Moorhouse |first1=Lauren |last2=Lamb |first2=Christopher |date=23 April 2025 |title=Convicted cardinal demands to be part of conclave to choose new pope, setting up Vatican standoff |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/23/europe/cardinal-becciu-conclave-controversy-intl/index.html |access-date=23 April 2025 |work=CNN |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423170044/https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/23/europe/cardinal-becciu-conclave-controversy-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Cardinal [[Giovanni Angelo Becciu]], who had "renounced his rights as a cardinal" in 2020 due to his involvement in a financial scandal,<ref name="Pinto-2025">{{Cite web |last=Pinto |first=Susanna |title=Cardinal Napier: 'We need someone to build on the Francis foundation' |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/cardinal-napier-we-need-someone-to |date=29 April 2025 |website=The Pillar}}</ref> stated that he would abide by Francis's wish that he refrain from participating.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardinal Becciu renounces participation in upcoming conclave |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/cardinal-becciu-renounces-participation-conclave-2025.html |access-date=29 April 2025 |work=Vatican News |date=29 April 2025 |archive-date=29 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429091232/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/cardinal-becciu-renounces-participation-conclave-2025.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Health problems prevented cardinals [[Antonio Cañizares Llovera]] of Spain and [[John Njue]] of Kenya from participating in the conclave,<ref>{{cite news |last=Millare |first=Kristina |title=2 cardinal electors, from Spain and Kenya, will not attend upcoming conclave |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263763/2-cardinal-electors-from-spain-and-kenya-will-not-attend-upcoming-conclave |access-date=30 April 2025 |agency=Catholic News Agency |date=30 April 2025 |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430211424/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263763/2-cardinal-electors-from-spain-and-kenya-will-not-attend-upcoming-conclave |url-status=live }}</ref> reducing the number of potential electors to 133; accordingly, the two-thirds supermajority required to elect the new pope was determined at 89 votes. This was the largest number of cardinal electors ever to participate and vote in a conclave.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Balmer |first1=Crispian |last2=McElwee |first2=Joshua |last3=Pullella |first3=Philip |date=7 May 2025 |title=Black smoke signals no pope elected in first conclave vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/vatican-conclave-pick-new-pope-world-waits-white-smoke-2025-05-07/ |work=Reuters}}</ref>
==Speculation== Francis's hospitalization in February and March 2025 fueled speculation about an impending conclave.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-conclave-cardinals-papal-election-process-when-b2745824.html|website=[[The Independent]]|title=Conclave: Inside the secret election to choose the next Pope|last=Toth|first=Albert|date=6 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224130642/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/what-is-a-conclave-pope-francis-health-b2703344.html|archive-date=24 February 2025|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref> Due to the major international expansion of the membership of the College of Cardinals under Francis to 252, with over 140 non-European [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinals]] appointed during his pontificate, some observers had suggested a non-European pope was likely.<ref name="BBC-2025"/><ref name="Jeyaretnam-2025"/> The 2025 conclave was initially planned to have 135 electors from 71 countries; the 2013 and 2005 conclaves had had 115 electors from 48 and 52 countries respectively. Some of the participating cardinals did not speak Italian, the [[working language of the Roman Curia]].<ref name="Domínguez-2025">{{Cite web |last=Domínguez |first=Íñigo |date=22 April 2025 |title=The Vatican heads toward a conclave with 15 papal candidates already emerging |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-04-22/the-vatican-heads-toward-a-conclave-with-15-papal-candidates-already-emerging.html |access-date=24 April 2025 |website=El País English |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423021514/https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-04-22/the-vatican-heads-toward-a-conclave-with-15-papal-candidates-already-emerging.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Following the Italian saying "[[fat pope, thin pope]]", some commentators predicted that Francis's successor would be more conservative.<ref name="Jeyaretnam-2025"/><ref>{{cite web |last=McDonagh |first=Melanie |date=22 April 2025 |title=Who could be the next Pope? All the cardinals in the running for the Papacy |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/pope-francis-death-runners-riders-b1223615.html |access-date=24 April 2025 |website=The Standard }}</ref> There were also concerns of interference, which had been prohibited in 1996 by John Paul II,<ref>{{cite web |last=Lamb |first=Christopher |date=6 May 2025 |title=Cardinals choosing the next pope have been offered a dossier on candidates – with a subtext |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/06/world/cardinals-pope-conclave-dossier-candidates-intl |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=CNN |archive-date=6 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506214447/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/06/world/cardinals-pope-conclave-dossier-candidates-intl |url-status=live }}</ref> and a potential hostile takeover by [[ultraconservative]] politicians and Catholics.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Munster |first1=Ben |last2=Roberts |first2=Hannah|date=1 May 2025 |title=The ultra conservatives wanting to make the Vatican great again |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/vaticans-church-catholic-pope-francis-hard-right/ |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Munster |first1=Ben |last2=Roberts |first2=Hannah |date=8 May 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV seen as bridge builder after Francis's turbulent reign |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-leo-xiv-francis-prevost-catholic-church-history-vatican-francis/ |access-date=11 May 2025 |website=Politico |archive-date=10 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510042611/https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-leo-xiv-francis-prevost-catholic-church-history-vatican-francis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of the third and fourth general congregations, there was reportedly a desire among the cardinals for a ten-year pope, someone in his late seventies with experience in the [[Roman Curia]] who would be more focused on internal affairs.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Ep. 209: What Cardinals Want |last1=Flynn |first1=JD |last2=Condon |first2=Ed |last3=Beltrán |first3=Edgar |medium=1 hour video |work=The Pillar |date=26 April 2025 |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-209-what-cardinals-want |access-date=26 April 2025 |archive-date=26 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426135929/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-209-what-cardinals-want |url-status=live }}</ref>
Some commentators posited a younger pope as more likely;<ref>{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Marcus |date=21 April 2025 |title=Who Might Succeed Pope Francis? |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/pope-francis-successor-conclave-catholic-church-92daa941 |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=26 April 2025 |archive-date=26 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426150638/https://www.wsj.com/world/pope-francis-successor-conclave-catholic-church-92daa941 |url-status=live }}</ref> others felt that cardinals such as [[Pierbattista Pizzaballa]] (who had turned 60 the day of Francis's death) and Robert Prevost (then aged 69) were too young.<ref name="BBC-2025"/><ref>{{cite news |date=8 May 2025 |title=Who Will Be the Next Pope? Here Are Some Possible Contenders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/next-pope-francis-candidates.html |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Watling |first1=Tom |last2=Bedigan |first2=Mike |date=9 May 2025 |title=Chicago-born Robert Prevost appointed 267th Pope |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/new-pope-robert-prevost-francis-conclave-views-american-b2747723.html |access-date=10 May 2025 |website=The Independent}}</ref> Many cardinals expressed hope for a short conclave, as in 2005 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Cardinals lay groundwork for conclave, hope for quick vote |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250430-cardinals-lay-groundwork-for-conclave-hope-for-quick-vote |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=France 24 |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430145644/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250430-cardinals-lay-groundwork-for-conclave-hope-for-quick-vote |url-status=live }}</ref> Given the complexities and heterogeneity of this conclave,<ref>{{cite web | last=Condon | first=Ed | title=The short and the long of conclave timing | work=The Pillar | date=29 April 2025 | url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-short-and-the-long-of-conclave | access-date=1 May 2025 | archive-date=30 April 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430184542/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-short-and-the-long-of-conclave | url-status=live }}</ref> compared to the two-day one that elected Francis in 2013,<ref name="Catholic News Agency" /> Cardinal [[Rainer Woelki]] expected the 2025 conclave to take longer;<ref name="Catholic News Agency">{{Cite web |title=Cardinal Woelki predicts longer conclave than 2013 election of Pope Francis; |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263759/cardinal-woelki-expects-longer-papal-conclave-than-swift-election-of-pope-francis |access-date=30 April 2025 |agency=Catholic News Agency }}</ref> and cardinals [[Louis Raphaël I Sako]] and [[Gregorio Rosa Chávez]] anticipated a short conclave of two or three days,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brennan |first1=David |last2=Natanson |first2=Phoebe |date=29 April 2025 |title=Papal conclave will last only 2 or 3 days, cardinal predicts |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/papal-conclave-days-cardinal-predictions/story?id=121267600 |access-date=10 May 2025 |website=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/30/how-long-conclave-250531|title=Cardinals say they are expecting a short conclave|date=30 April 2025|website=America Magazine|access-date=1 May 2025|archive-date=1 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501033514/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/30/how-long-conclave-250531|url-status=live}}</ref> with the latter remarking "maximum three days".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/cardinals-lay-groundwork-conclave-hope-quick-vote.1108980|title=Cardinals lay groundwork for the conclave, hope for quick vote|date=30 April 2025|website=Times of Malta|access-date=1 May 2025|archive-date=1 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501033514/https://timesofmalta.com/article/cardinals-lay-groundwork-conclave-hope-quick-vote.1108980|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cardinals lay groundwork for conclave, hope for quick vote |url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/cardinals-lay-groundwork-for-conclave-hope-for-quick-vote/108742 |website=Union of Catholic Asian News}}</ref>
===''Papabili''=== {{Main|Papabile}} [[Vaticanologist]]s consider (by a variety of criteria) some cardinals to be more likely to become pope than others {{Ndash}}these are the ''[[papabili]]'' (the plural for ''papabile''), Italian for "pope-able".<ref>{{cite news |last=McGarry |first=Patsy |date=21 April 2025|title=Who will be the next pope after Francis and how does the process work? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/world/2025/04/21/who-will-be-the-next-pope-after-francis-and-how-does-the-process-work/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 April 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |archive-date=21 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421125525/https://www.irishtimes.com/world/2025/04/21/who-will-be-the-next-pope-after-francis-and-how-does-the-process-work/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In practice, however, conclaves have not always chosen one of the ''papabili''. Prior to his election in the [[October 1978 conclave]], [[John Paul II]] was not considered to be in the running.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 April 2025 |title=Which cardinals are seen as contenders to be the next pope? |url=https://apnews.com/article/next-pope-contenders-list-101d68d61be2401a85310e34b45371a9 |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> This is reflected in the saying "He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal,"<ref>{{cite web|last1=Maqbool|first1=Aleem|last2=Kirby|first2=Paul|last3=Seales|first3=Rebecca|date=7 May 2025|title=Who will be the next Pope? Top candidates in an unpredictable process|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgxk40ndk1o|access-date=13 May 2025|website=BBC News|archive-date=23 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423010206/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgxk40ndk1o|url-status=live}}</ref> although the frontrunner is often elected pope, as was the case in [[1939 conclave|1939]] ([[Pius XII]]), [[1963 conclave|1963]] ([[Paul VI]]), and [[2005 conclave|2005]] ([[Benedict XVI]]).<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 29 April 2025 | url =https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/ncr-voices/what-history-tells-us-about-conclaves | date = 29 April 2025 | title = The conclave cliché that is wrong. What history tells us about conclaves | first= Michael Sean | last = Winters | work = Nation Catholic Reporter }}</ref> [[Anna Rowlands]], a Vaticanologist, suggested that attempts to predict the conclave's outcome were based in "pure speculation".<ref>{{cite web|last=Fox|first=Aine|title=Conclave choice for the next pope 'totally unpredictable', says Vatican expert|website=[[The Independent]]|date=25 April 2025|access-date=25 April 2025|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/new-pope-conclave-francis-death-cardinal-who-b2739375.html}}</ref> Media worldwide released ''papabili'' analyses on the day of Pope Francis's death.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chi sarà il prossimo Papa? I nomi papabili per il dopo Francesco|date=21 April 2025|first=Enrico|last=Cicchetti|url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/chiesa/2025/04/21/news/chi-sara-il-prossimo-papa-i-nomi-papabili-per-il-dopo-francesco-7437756/|access-date=29 April 2025|work=[[Il Foglio]]|language=it|archive-date=29 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429070029/https://www.ilfoglio.it/chiesa/2025/04/21/news/chi-sara-il-prossimo-papa-i-nomi-papabili-per-il-dopo-francesco-7437756/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Papabili'' mentioned in the media included [[Anders Arborelius]], [[Jean-Marc Aveline]], [[Fridolin Ambongo Besungu]], [[Timothy Dolan]], [[Wim Eijk]], [[Péter Erdő]], [[Fernando Filoni]], [[William Goh]], [[Mario Grech]], [[Claudio Gugerotti]], [[Pietro Parolin]], [[Pierbattista Pizzaballa]], [[Malcolm Ranjith]], [[Robert Sarah]], [[Marcello Semeraro]], [[Luis Antonio Tagle]], [[José Tolentino de Mendonça]], [[Peter Turkson]], [[Lazarus You Heung-sik]], and [[Matteo Zuppi]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2 May 2025|url=https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/next-pope-papabile/|title=Who will be the next pope? We profile the conclave – from Arborelius to Zuppi|website=The Tablet|first1=Brendan|last1=Walsh|first2=Patrick|last2=Hudson|first3=Bess|last3=Twiston Davies|access-date=7 May 2025|archive-date=2 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502192530/https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/next-pope-papabile/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Maddox-2025">{{cite web |last1=Maddox |first1=David |last2=Gooch |first2=Bryony |date=7 May 2025 |title=Who could be the new Pope? The cardinals in the running ahead of the Conclave |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/papal-conclave-cardinals-new-pope-candidates-b2746175.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507194344/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/papal-conclave-cardinals-new-pope-candidates-b2746175.html |archive-date=7 May 2025 |access-date=9 May 2025 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref name="Agenzia ANSA-2025">{{cite web |date=8 May 2025 |title=Nel conclave il peso degli americani, Dolan 'pope maker' – Dall'addio a Francesco al nuovo Papa |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/speciali/dalladdio-a-francesco-al-nuovo-papa/2025/05/08/nel-conclave-il-peso-degli-americani-dolan-pope-maker_df58b4dc-fca1-4900-a4bc-f8c9653ed022.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it}}</ref>
[[Robert Prevost]], the eventual elected pope, was speculated on as ''papabile'',<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Christopher |date=30 April 2025 |title=The first American pope? This cardinal has the best chance of making history in this conclave |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/papal-front-runner-interest-polyglot-us-cardinal-prevost-rises-italian |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509061128/https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/papal-front-runner-interest-polyglot-us-cardinal-prevost-rises-italian |archive-date=9 May 2025 |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=[[National Catholic Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 May 2025 |title=Who will be pope? Meet some possible contenders |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/who-will-be-pope-meet-some-possible-contenders |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503001025/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/who-will-be-pope-meet-some-possible-contenders |archive-date=May 3, 2025 |access-date=May 3, 2025 |work=PBS News Hour}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Baker|first=Aryn|date=6 May 2025 |title=Who Could Be the Next Pope? These Are the Names to Know |url=https://time.com/7282843/next-pope-candidates-zuppi-parolin-tagle-turkson-erdo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506211100/https://time.com/7282843/next-pope-candidates-zuppi-parolin-tagle-turkson-erdo/ |archive-date=May 6, 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |magazine=Time}}</ref> being the prefect of the powerful [[Dicastery for Bishops]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20250421-the-papabili-15-potential-successors-to-pope-francis|title=15 potential successors to Pope Francis|date=21 April 2025|access-date=21 April 2025|website=[[Radio France Internationale|RFI]]|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|archive-date=22 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422015831/https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20250421-the-papabili-15-potential-successors-to-pope-francis|url-status=live}}</ref> an ally of Francis, and a possible compromise candidate;<ref name="Rich-2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/world/americas/pope-candidate-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost.html|title=There's Never Been a Pope From the U.S. Could This Cardinal Change That?|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Motoko|last=Rich|author-link=Motoko Rich|date=2 May 2025|access-date=6 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bedigan |first1=Mike |last2=Watling |first2=Tom |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Meet Leo XIV: The first American pope no one expected |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/new-pope-leo-xiv-cardinal-robert-prevost-b2747492.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=The Independent}}</ref> however, he was considered a [[dark horse]],<ref name="Maddox-2025" /> and his American nationality had been regarded as a potential stumbling block to his candidacy, reflecting unease about enhancing the United States's geopolitical power after the re-election of [[Donald Trump]] in 2024.<ref name="Maddox-2025" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Cardinal Prevost elected next pope, first American pontiff |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/cardinal-prevost-elected-next-pope-first-american-pontiff |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=[[PBS News Hour]] |date=8 May 2025 |archive-date=9 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509191629/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/cardinal-prevost-elected-next-pope-first-american-pontiff |url-status=live }}</ref> Supporters argued that Prevost represented a "dignified middle of the road".<ref name="Rich-2025" /> Some commentators felt that a non-European pope was likely due to the increased numbers of African and Asian cardinals,<ref name="BBC-2025"/><ref name="Jeyaretnam-2025"/> which reportedly ultimately collapsed Parolin's candidacy.<ref name="Agenzia ANSA-2025" /> By contrast, others felt that a European pope was a more likely outcome,<ref name="Maddox-2025" /> remaining convinced that the reasons for why an American pope had never been elected before, namely the American status as [[superpower]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=21 April 2025 |title=Who will be the next pope? Some potential candidates to succeed Francis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/who-next-pope-francis-potential-candidates-succeed |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=L. Allen Jr. |first=John |date=1 May 2025 |title='Papabile' of the Day: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost |url=https://cruxnow.com/papal-transition/2025/05/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost |access-date=10 May 2025 |website=Crux |archive-date=10 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510012100/https://cruxnow.com/papal-transition/2025/05/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost |url-status=live }}</ref> still applied. James Bretzke, a theology professor at [[John Carroll University]] in Ohio, told ''[[USA Today]]'' that the best possible candidate was one who could be a diplomat, adding: "America's image in the world simply is too powerful{{snd}}and to be blunt, ugly."<ref name="Maddox-2025" />
===Betting=== {{Further information|Gambling on papal conclaves}} Before the announcement of the conclave itself, prediction markets were using market mechanisms to calculate who might be in the running and their putative rankings.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=27 April 2025 |title=Lobbying for next pope heats up, with outcome less predictable than ever |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/27/lobbying-for-next-pope-college-of-cardinals-conclave |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ramirez |first=Marc |date=3 May 2025 |title=Betting on the Kentucky Derby? Hordes are putting money down on who will be the new pope |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/03/pope-betting-gambling-conclave-francis/83354706007/ |access-date=7 May 2025 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Murru |first1=Maria Grazia |last2=Hui |first2=Sylvia |date=4 May 2025 |title=Play your cardinals right: Betting on next pope gains popularity ahead of the conclave |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/pope-selection-betting-popularity/6249808/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250505014045/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/pope-selection-betting-popularity/6249808/ |archive-date=5 May 2025 |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=[[NBC New York]]}}</ref>
Upon Francis's death, the top five contenders were Tagle, Parolin, Zuppi, Ambongo, and Erdő,<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20250504020212/https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/novelty/next-pope-odds-favorites-2025/ --> all of whom had been cited by Vatican journalists and analysts as ''papabili''.<ref>{{cite web |last=McLaren |first=Esten |date=21 April 2025 |title=Next Pope Odds & Betting Favorites: When Will the Next Pope Be Elected, Papal Name, and AI Prediction |url=https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/novelty/next-pope-odds-favorites-2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504020212/https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/novelty/next-pope-odds-favorites-2025/ |archive-date=4 May 2025 |access-date=14 May 2025 |website=Sportsbook Review}}</ref> On the day of Prevost's election, the leading candidates on [[Polymarket]] were Parolin at 37%, Tagle at 26%, Pizzaballa at 10%, Erdő at 8%, Turkson at 7%, Sarah at 4%, and Zuppi at 3%. Parolin's odds to be named as the new pope jumped to nearly 70% after the white smoke was revealed, with many suspecting that the relatively short four-round conclave indicated a consensus candidate had been chosen.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bomey |first=Nathan |date=8 May 2025 |title=You could have made a fortune betting on an American pope |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/robert-prevost-pope-prediction-markets |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=Axios |archive-date=9 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509215626/https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/robert-prevost-pope-prediction-markets |url-status=live }}</ref>
Fantapapa ({{langnf|it||Fantasy Pope}}) was a [[fantasy league]] based in Italy for betting nominal sums on [[Conclave|papal conclaves]]. Established by anti-gambling advocates Pietro Pace and Mauro Vanetti specifically for the 2025 conclave,<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2025|title=Video game rides conclave excitement with cardinal fantasy team |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250429-video-game-rides-conclave-excitement-with-cardinal-fantasy-team |access-date=7 May 2025|website=[[France 24]] }}</ref> the sole payout was "eternal glory". By 5 May 2025, it had 75,000 players in Italy, where no licensed platform offers gambling on conclaves.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Segreti |first1=Giulia |last2=Pollina |first2=Elvira |title=Italians play 'Fantapapa' while others bet on identity of new pope |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italians-play-fantapapa-while-others-bet-identity-new-pope-2025-04-30/ |work=Reuters |date=30 April 2025|access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref> Fantapapa players chose from and ranked eleven cardinals; other aspects of the conclave, such as the papal name, language, number of rounds, and the day on which white smoke appears, were also available to bet on. Players gained points in accordance to their team members being "mentioned prominently" in domestic and international media coverage. The fantasy league was open to punters internationally and also offered mini-lessons in the Italian language.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dom |first=Evelyn |date=2 May 2025|title=Italy plays Fantapapa, fantasy football-like game to pick the new pope |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/02/thousands-of-italians-play-fantapapa-a-fantasy-football-like-game-to-predict-the-next-pope |access-date=7 May 2025|website=[[Euronews]] }}</ref>
==Pre-conclave events== ===Logistical preparations=== [[File:Domus Sanctae Marthae.jpg|thumb|Cardinals participating in the conclave stayed at [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]].]] Following the death of Pope Francis, preparations began at Domus Sanctae Marthae for housing the cardinal electors. These included setting up barriers or opaque film at the windows to prevent outside contact and the construction of spaces for the celebration of the [[Sacrament of Penance]], private prayer, and meals.<ref name="Il Mattino-2025">{{Cite web |date=23 April 2025 |title=Preparing for the Conclave: The Transformation of Santa Marta |url=https://www.ilmattino.it/en/preparing_for_the_conclave_the_transformation_of_santa_marta-8795400.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250424125022/https://www.ilmattino.it/AMP/en/preparing_for_the_conclave_the_transformation_of_santa_marta-8795400.html?next_page=3 |archive-date=24 April 2025 |access-date=24 April 2025 |website=Il Mattino}}</ref><ref name="Garay-2025">{{Cite magazine |last=Garay |first=Jorge |title=The Tech That Safeguards the Conclave's Secrecy |url=https://www.wired.com/story/technology-used-to-shield-conclave-pope-francis/ |magazine=Wired |date=23 April 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025 |archive-date=25 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425044103/https://www.wired.com/story/technology-used-to-shield-conclave-pope-francis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Signal jammers]] were used to isolate the electors from [[Bluetooth]], [[Wi-Fi]], and [[mobile network]]s.<ref name="Garay-2025" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2025|title=Cardinal Vincent Nichols expects a 'mood of reflection' at his first conclave |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/04/26/nx-s1-5374910/cardinal-vincent-nichols-expects-a-mood-of-reflection-at-his-first-conclave |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=NPR |archive-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427202954/https://www.npr.org/2025/04/26/nx-s1-5374910/cardinal-vincent-nichols-expects-a-mood-of-reflection-at-his-first-conclave |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cybernews-2025">{{Cite web |date=27 April 2025 |title=The Cyber Vatican – how the world's smallest country became a cybersecurity powerhouse |url=https://cybernews.com/security/vatican-cybersecurity-vote-pope/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Cybernews |archive-date=29 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429112446/https://cybernews.com/security/vatican-cybersecurity-vote-pope/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Because the building has only 129 bedrooms, it was necessary to provide accommodations for the 133 electors and support personnel,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gravino |first1=Michele |date=25 April 2025 |title=Inside Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis's new digs |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/130328-pope-francis-vatican-casa-santa-marta-apartment-rome-catholic |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=Culture |archive-date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424091948/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/130328-pope-francis-vatican-casa-santa-marta-apartment-rome-catholic |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2025 |title=Record number of cardinal electors poses logistical challenge for conclave |url=https://catholicvote.org/record-number-cardinal-electors-logistical-challenge-conclave/ |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=Catholic Vote |archive-date=25 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425002021/https://catholicvote.org/record-number-cardinal-electors-logistical-challenge-conclave/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bubola |first=Emma |date=28 April 2025 |title=Conclave to Choose New Pope Will Start May 7, Vatican Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/world/europe/papal-conclave-date.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250428225722/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/world/europe/papal-conclave-date.html |archive-date=28 April 2025 |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> who stayed at Santa Marta Vecchia, next door to the main dormitory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beltrán |first=José |date=30 April 2025 |title=Operación desalojo en la residencia de Santa Marta: ¿hay sitio para los 133 cardenales del cónclave? |url=https://www.vidanuevadigital.com/2025/04/30/operacion-desalojo-en-la-residencia-de-santa-marta-hay-sitio-para-los-133-cardenales-del-conclave/ |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=Vida Nueva |language=es}}</ref><ref name="Catholic Review-2025">{{Cite web |date=1 May 2025 |title=Vatican guesthouse offers cardinals privacy, relaxed comfort |url=https://catholicreview.org/vatican-guesthouse-offers-cardinals-privacy-relaxed-comfort/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Catholic Review}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2025 |title=Casa Santa Marta undergoes transformation ahead of papal election |url=https://angelusnews.com/news/vatican/conclave-2025-santa-marta-preparation/ |access-date=4 May 2025 |archive-date=4 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504023932/https://angelusnews.com/news/vatican/conclave-2025-santa-marta-preparation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the Sistine Chapel, preparations included the addition of tables and chairs in the manner of [[choir stalls]] and the covering of windows; the ballot-burning stove and the chimney, which together serve to signal the results to the outside world, were installed,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLellan |first=Justin |date=28 April 2025 |title=Conclave to elect next pope will begin May 7 |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/conclave-elect-next-pope-will-begin-may-7 |access-date=29 April 2025 |website=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops}}</ref><ref name="The Washington Post-2025a">{{cite news |editor-last1=Canales|editor-first1=Manuel|editor-last2=Akkad|editor-first2=Reem|editor-last3=Dhanoa|editor-first3=Feroze|date=30 April 2025 |title=Inside the conclave: A visual guide on how the next pope will be elected |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/interactive/2025/pope-election-conclave-process/ |access-date=30 April 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> as was a temporary wooden floor which served to protect the marble inlay, provide a more level surface, and hide electronic signal jammers.<ref name="The Washington Post-2025a"/><ref name="NPR">{{Cite news |title=Inside the Sistine Chapel, before the College of Cardinals takes over for the Conclave |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/04/27/nx-s1-5374905/inside-the-sistine-chapel-before-the-college-of-cardinals-takes-over-for-the-conclave |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=NPR |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430121842/https://www.npr.org/2025/04/27/nx-s1-5374905/inside-the-sistine-chapel-before-the-college-of-cardinals-takes-over-for-the-conclave |url-status=live }}</ref> Both the Domus Sanctae Marthae and the Sistine Chapel were thoroughly inspected in advance of the conclave for any unauthorized devices.<ref name="Garay-2025" /> On 2 May, [[Corps of Firefighters of the Vatican City State|Vatican firefighters]] installed the chimney for the Sistine Chapel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2025 |title=Vatican firefighters install a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel for the papal election |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-chimney-97dd5a6cb24294c85e48a933bf4e67b4 |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=AP News |archive-date=2 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502083207/https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-chimney-97dd5a6cb24294c85e48a933bf4e67b4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[Vatican Gendarmerie]], under the leadership of [[Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti]], faced many [[counter-espionage]] challenges in protecting conclave integrity.<ref name="Domínguez-2025" /><ref name="Garay-2025" /><ref name="Cybernews-2025" /> The [[Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City|Corps of Gendarmerie]] used the 650 [[security cameras]] in the Vatican, [[encrypted messaging]], and [[endpoint detection and response]] to secure the conclave.<ref name="Cybernews-2025" /> Meals for the 2025 conclave featured simple dishes [[Cuisine of Lazio|typical of Lazio]] and [[Cuisine of Abruzzo|Abruzzo]], the [[regions of Italy]] nearest the Vatican.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tersigni |first=Elisa |date=1 May 2025 |title=The great conclave secret: What do would-be popes eat? |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250430-the-secrets-of-feeding-the-papal-conclave |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=BBC |archive-date=1 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501205417/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250430-the-secrets-of-feeding-the-papal-conclave |url-status=live }}</ref>
===General congregations=== [[File:Conclave Map.svg|thumb|Map of the major venues of the conclave]] According to Catholic canon law, general congregations are daily meetings of all cardinals regardless of elector status and begin before all of the elector cardinals arrive in Rome. The initial meetings are focused on the logistics of the papal funeral and the conclave, including physical preparations at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (as a dormitory) and the Sistine Chapel (as a polling place). Later ones, typically the eighth and following, shift to discussions about the needs of the church and the world, and the issues facing the Roman Curia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2025 |title=Cardinals hold first meeting after pope's death |url=https://www.thefloridacatholic.org/news/vatican/cardinals-hold-first-meeting-after-popes-death/article_33ca8861-262a-4628-bfe6-92ce7f1abf54.html |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=Florida Catholic Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Burga |first1=Solcyré |last2=de Guzman |first2=Chad |last3=Jeyaretnam |first3=Miranda |last4=Shah |first4=Simmone |date=21 April 2025 |title=How a New Pope Is Chosen—and Who It Could Be |url=https://time.com/7278963/new-pope-election-process-conclave-cardinals-candidates-francis-death-successor/ |access-date=23 April 2025 |magazine=Time |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423010017/https://time.com/7278963/new-pope-election-process-conclave-cardinals-candidates-francis-death-successor/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mares |first1=Courtney |date=23 April 2025 |title=Explainer: What happens during the Vatican's 9 days of mourning for the pope? |url=https://www.ewtnvatican.com/articles/explainer-what-happens-during-the-vaticans-9-days-of-mourning-for-the-pope-5065 |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=[[EWTN|EWTN Vatican]] |archive-date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424105141/https://www.ewtnvatican.com/articles/explainer-what-happens-during-the-vaticans-9-days-of-mourning-for-the-pope-5065 |url-status=live }}</ref> These later general congregations are guided by the reflections given by two "distinguished and morally authoritative" clerics who are selected by the cardinals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zengarini |first1=Lisa |date=22 April 2025 |title=What happens after the Pope dies? |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/pope-death-what-happens-interregnum-sede-vacans.html |access-date=24 April 2025 |website=[[Vatican News]]}}</ref> The cardinals are also given the opportunity to make formal remarks regarding the issues facing the church.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2025 |title=A 'sede vacante' lexicon: Know your congregations from your conclaves |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/a-sede-vacante-lexicon-know-your |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=The Pillar}}</ref> All of these speeches and discussions are termed {{lang|it|interventi}} ("interventions") in Italian.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Vatican News|author-link=Vatican News |user=VaticanNews|number=1915747609282494642|date=25 April 2025|title=The 149 Cardinals present in Rome held their fourth General Congregation|access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref> The general congregations meet in the New Synod Hall, on the first floor of the vestibule of the much larger [[Paul VI Audience Hall]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Cardinals face litmus test on abuse ahead of conclave |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/04/cardinals-face-litmus-test-on-abuse-ahead-of-conclave |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=Crux |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430081650/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/04/cardinals-face-litmus-test-on-abuse-ahead-of-conclave |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dulle |first=Colleen |date=3 May 2025 |title=The conclave is a referendum on synodality |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/03/synod-synodality-conclave-250576 |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=America Magazine |archive-date=3 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503191551/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/03/synod-synodality-conclave-250576 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the 2025 conclave, the general congregations met every day from 22 April following Francis's death until 6 May,<ref>{{cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=These are the challenges identified by the cardinals ahead of the conclave |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263787/live-updates-cardinals-gather-as-conclave-to-elect-successor-to-pope-francis |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=Catholic News Agency}}</ref> excluding 26–27 April,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonanata |first=Antonio |date=28 April 2025 |title=Riprendono le Congregazioni, è la settimana del pre-Conclave. Marx: 'Durerà poco' |url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2025/04/da-lunedi-riprendono-le-congregazioni-sara-la-settimana-del-pre-conclave-marx-durera-poco-9724ce3c-8c97-43aa-aaeb-fe642aaf26de.html |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=RaiNews |language=it}}</ref> 1 May,<ref>{{cite web |date=1 May 2025 |title=Conclave: il 1 maggio pausa di riflessione, niente congregazioni, solo messa |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2025/05/01/conclave-il-1-maggio-pausa-di-riflessione-niente-congregazioni-solo-messa_f0ed7905-80de-4486-9a80-05bfdddb3510.html |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it |archive-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512122416/https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2025/05/01/conclave-il-1-maggio-pausa-di-riflessione-niente-congregazioni-solo-messa_f0ed7905-80de-4486-9a80-05bfdddb3510.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and 4 May,<ref>{{cite web |date=5 May 2025 |title=Conclave, riprendono le congregazioni generali |url=https://www.unionesarda.it/news/italia/conclave-riprendono-le-congregazioni-generali-ancbmhkm |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=L'Unione Sarda |language=it |archive-date=15 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515231119/https://www.unionesarda.it/news/italia/conclave-riprendono-le-congregazioni-generali-ancbmhkm |url-status=live }}</ref> with the beginning of the conclave proper on 7 May.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards|first1=Christian|last2=Kent|first2=Lauren|last3=Kemp|first3=Olivia|last4=Chowdhury|first4=Maureen|last5=Powell|first5= Tori B.|date=7 May 2025 |title=May 7, 2025 – Day 1 Papal Conclave news at the Vatican following Pope Francis' passing |url=https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-pope-conclave-day-one-05-07-25 |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=CNN }}</ref>
General congregations allow the cardinals to meet on their own initiative, thereby getting to know each other and exercise their [[Discernment in Christianity|spiritual discernment]]; many had never met,<ref>{{cite web |last=Burnell |first=Paul |date=7 May 2025 |title=Conclave: England's most senior Catholic on cardinals' 'big call' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y61yn9wdqo |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=BBC News |archive-date=9 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509104845/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y61yn9wdqo |url-status=live }}</ref> as Francis did not hold meetings of cardinals before his [[Papal consistory|papal consistories]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Megan |date=4 May 2025 |title=The conclave that will elect a new pope is more diverse. Will it also be more unpredictable? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pope-conclave-cardinals-vatican-1.7522923 |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=CBC News |archive-date=11 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511180938/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pope-conclave-cardinals-vatican-1.7522923 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|name="120+"}} Furthermore, the cardinals have full access to global media and their diverse analyses and criteria for identifying the ''papabile''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 May 2025 |title=The new pope: How journalists (and cardinals) come up with their list of candidates |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/01/papabile-conclave-new-pope-cardinals-list-250546 |website=America Magazine}}</ref> Before leaving for Rome on 24 April, Cardinal [[Pablo Virgilio David]] stressed that a conclave is not a political campaign but a [[Retreat (spiritual)|religious retreat]]. He also emphasized that it is a duty of the [[College of Cardinals]] to discern each other via prayer, [[personal letter]]s, and even research on a website with biographical and other information set up for that purpose,<ref>{{cite web | last=San Mateo|first=Joseph|date=24 April 2025|title='There are no candidates in a conclave,' says Filipino Cardinal David|url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia/2025/04/there-are-no-candidates-in-a-conclave-says-filipino-cardinal-david|access-date=24 April 2025|website=[[Crux (online newspaper)|Crux]]}}</ref> and that it is not a matter of [[candidate]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecatholicherald.com/a-conclave-doesnt-deal-in-candidates-cardinal-explains/|title=A conclave doesn't deal in 'candidates', cardinal explains |work=Catholic Herald|first=Joseph |last=San Mateo|date=24 April 2025}}</ref> Both the formal and informal discussions are expected to be very substantive in preparation for, and in the hope of, a speedy conclave.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-22/what-goes-on-inside-papal-conclave/102166290|title=What goes on inside the conclave to elect the next pope?|date=22 April 2025|access-date=22 April 2025|work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC Australia]]|archive-date=21 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421232909/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-22/what-goes-on-inside-papal-conclave/102166290|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2025 |access-date=26 April 2025 |title=People pay respects as 'popemobile' carries Francis's coffin into Rome |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c78jqw75p6eo |website=BBC |archive-date=26 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426113811/https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c78jqw75p6eo |url-status=live }}</ref> The discussions held at cardinals' own initiative{{em dash}}''pratiche'', or exercises{{em dash}}are the most frank and candid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weigel |first=George |date=23 April 2025 |title=The High Stakes in Choosing the Next Pope |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/the-high-stakes-in-choosing-the-next-pope-1a3d5bc0?mod=article_inline |access-date=26 April 2025 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |archive-date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424162122/https://www.wsj.com/world/the-high-stakes-in-choosing-the-next-pope-1a3d5bc0?mod=article_inline |url-status=live }}</ref> By canon law, the congregations are bound to the same secrecy as the conclave.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Condon|first=Ed|title=Politics, secrecy and excommunication in a conclave — and before|url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/politics-secrecy-and-excommunication|url-access=subscription|date=28 April 2025|website=The Pillar|access-date=1 May 2025|archive-date=1 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501135007/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/politics-secrecy-and-excommunication|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Daily summary=== On 22 April, members of the [[papal staff and household]] were asked to vacate their rooms at the Domus Sanctae Marthae following the death of Pope Francis in his suite on the second floor to allow for conclave preparations in that building to begin.<ref name="Il Mattino-2025" /> The same day, the first of twelve general congregations were held. At the first congregation, the approximately sixty cardinals present listened to [[Kevin Farrell]], the [[Cardinal Camerlengo]], read the [[will and testament]] of Francis. The canonization of [[Carlo Acutis]], originally scheduled to take place in Rome on 27 April, was suspended, and the cardinals confirmed the date for the papal funeral. This meeting also dealt with the logistics of the funeral.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2025 |title=General Congregations of Cardinals begin in the Vatican |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/general-congregations-vatican-cardinals-funeral-translation.html |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=[[Vatican News]] |archive-date=22 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422223414/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/general-congregations-vatican-cardinals-funeral-translation.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2025 |title=Holy See: Canonization of Carlo Acutis Postponed |url=https://www.exaudi.org/holy-see-canonization-of-carlo-acutis-postponed/ |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=Exaudi}}</ref> The attending cardinals took the oath of secrecy concerning their meetings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2025 |title=General Congregation Begins: Cardinals Suspend Beatifications, Swear to Secrecy |url=https://www.ncregister.com/cna/general-congregation-begins-cardinals-suspend-beatifications-swear-to-secrecy |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=NCR |archive-date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424033206/https://www.ncregister.com/cna/general-congregation-begins-cardinals-suspend-beatifications-swear-to-secrecy |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the fact that general congregations are closed to non-cardinals, Sister [[Simona Brambilla]], a [[religious sister]] and the first woman to head a Vatican department (the [[Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life]]), was accidentally sent a standard email inviting her to participate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2025 |title=Francis legacy lives as top Vatican woman gets accidental invite to cardinals meeting |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/04/francis-legacy-lives-as-top-vatican-woman-gets-accidental-invite-to-conclave |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=Crux}}</ref> On 23 April, the [[Vatican Museums]] announced the closure of the Sistine Chapel beginning on 28 April, due to the needs of the conclave.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2025 |title=Notice |url=https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250424044331/https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html |archive-date=24 April 2025 |website=Vatican Museum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2025 |title=Vatican's Sistine Chapel to close from Monday ahead of papal conclave |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/vaticans-sistine-chapel-close-monday-165812622.html |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=Yahoo News |archive-date=25 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425202048/https://www.yahoo.com/news/vaticans-sistine-chapel-close-monday-165812622.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the second congregation, the program for the {{lang|la|novendiales}}, or nine-day period of mourning for the deceased pope, was approved.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2025 |title=Second General Congregation of Cardinals held in the Vatican |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/second-general-congregation-of-cardinals-held-in-the-vatican.html |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=[[Vatican News]] |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423190447/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/second-general-congregation-of-cardinals-held-in-the-vatican.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Cardinal [[Norberto Rivera Carrera]] stated to the press that these discussions had been mostly procedural in nature, as many cardinals from around the world were still traveling.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2025 |title=Cardinals in Rome hold short afternoon General Congregation |url=https://catholicvote.org/cardinals-in-rome-hold-short-afternoon-general-congregation/ |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=CatholicVote.org |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423230836/https://catholicvote.org/cardinals-in-rome-hold-short-afternoon-general-congregation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Assemblée du Synode des évêques sur la famille en 2014.jpg|thumb|Cardinals and bishops in the [[New Synod Hall]] (pictured in 2014), one of the venues for the general congregations]] The third congregation on 24 April, with 113 cardinals present, saw the appointment of the two conclave preachers, [[Donato Ogliari]] and Cardinal [[Raniero Cantalamessa]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2025 |title=Cardinals hold third General Congregation, begin conversation about Church |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/general-congregation-third-college-cardinals-thursday.html |access-date=24 April 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424123748/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/general-congregation-third-college-cardinals-thursday.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=24 April 2025 |title=Cardinals choose prelates to offer reflections on church, future pope |url=https://www.osvnews.com/cardinals-choose-prelates-to-offer-reflections-on-church-future-pope/ |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=OSV News |archive-date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424170104/https://www.osvnews.com/cardinals-choose-prelates-to-offer-reflections-on-church-future-pope/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the fourth general congregation on 25 April, the 149 cardinals in attendance listened to a presentation on Francis's funeral rite.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 April 2025 |title=Cardinals hold 4th General Congregation, prepare for 'funeral of shepherd' |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/cardinals-fourth-general-congregation-sede-vacante.html |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=25 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425123111/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/cardinals-fourth-general-congregation-sede-vacante.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By this time nearly 70 formal speeches, or "interventions", had been given.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Christopher |date=27 April 2025 |title=The process to select a new pope has already begun. Cardinals are meeting almost daily in pre-conclave gatherings |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/process-select-new-pope-has-already-begun-cardinals-are-meeting-almost-daily-pre-conclave |website=National Catholic Reporter}}</ref> There was also discussion concerning the status of Giovanni Angelo Becciu as a cardinal elector among the participants, which continued in the following congregations until his 29 April acceptance of his non-elector status.<ref name="Pinto-2025" />
The fifth general congregation on 28 April determined that the conclave would begin on 7 May, sixteen days following Francis's death.<ref name="Zengarini-2025" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mackintosh |first1=Thomas |date=28 April 2025 |title=Conclave to elect new pope to begin on 7 May, Vatican says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn05vg7dw72o |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=BBC News |archive-date=28 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428122544/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn05vg7dw72o |url-status=live }}</ref> This meeting also discussed the [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|clerical sexual abuse crisis]], challenges in [[evangelization]], and [[ecumenism]]. Twenty cardinals delivered interventions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wimmer |first=A. C. |date=April 28, 2025 |title=Cardinals discuss Church's future as Sistine Chapel preparations begin |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263715/cardinals-discuss-catholic-church-s-future-challenges-as-sistine-chapel-preparations-begin-for-conclave |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429010507/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263715/cardinals-discuss-catholic-church-s-future-challenges-as-sistine-chapel-preparations-begin-for-conclave |archive-date=29 April 2025 |access-date=29 April 2025 |agency=Catholic News Agency}}</ref> Conservative cardinals, such as [[Gerhard Ludwig Müller|Gerhard Müller]] and [[Francis Arinze]] (not an elector), were particularly vocal during this session.<ref name="White-2025" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beltrán |first=José |date=28 April 2025 |title=Los cardenales conservadores buscan imponer su ritmo y narrativa en el precónclave |url=https://www.vidanuevadigital.com/2025/04/28/los-cardenales-conservadores-buscan-imponer-su-ritmo-y-narrativa-en-el-preconclave/ |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=Vida Nueva |language=es |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430162127/https://www.vidanuevadigital.com/2025/04/28/los-cardenales-conservadores-buscan-imponer-su-ritmo-y-narrativa-en-el-preconclave/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, at the sixth congregation on 29 April, the start time for the conclave was set at 4:30{{nbsp}}p.m., and [[Cardinal Re]] was chosen as the celebrant for the opening Mass for the conclave.<ref name="Vatican News-2025">{{Cite web |date=29 April 2025 |title=Cardinals announce pre-conclave Mass at sixth General Congregation |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/sixth-general-congregation-cardinals-future-church.html |access-date=29 April 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=29 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429122939/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/sixth-general-congregation-cardinals-future-church.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Donato Ogliari]] gave his scheduled reflection to the 183 cardinals present, 124 of them being electors, emphasizing the theme of synodality from the Francis papacy.<ref name="White-2025">{{Cite web |last=White |first=Christopher |date=29 April 2025 |title=Conclave roundup: Cardinal selfies, name tags and talk of Pope Francis as a 'dictator' |url=https://www.ncronline.org/conclave-roundup-cardinal-selfies-name-tags-and-talk-pope-francis-dictator |access-date=29 April 2025 |website=National Catholic Reporter}}</ref><ref name="Vatican News-2025" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donato |first=Ogliari |date=29 April 2025 |title=Meditazione alla Congregazione Generale dei Cardinali |website=Vatican.va|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/dam/salastampa/it/bollettino/documentazione-linkata/Ab.%20Ogliari%20-%20Prima%20MEDITAZIONE%20ALLA%20CONGREGAZIONE%20GENERALE%20DEI%20CARDINALI%20.pdf |access-date=30 April 2025 |archive-date=1 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501173007/https://press.vatican.va/content/dam/salastampa/it/bollettino/documentazione-linkata/Ab.%20Ogliari%20-%20Prima%20MEDITAZIONE%20ALLA%20CONGREGAZIONE%20GENERALE%20DEI%20CARDINALI%20.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
The seventh congregation on 30 April featured a discussion of the Vatican's financial issues by the 180 cardinals present, 124 of whom were electors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beltrán |first=José |date=30 April 2025 |title=Fin del monopolio en el precónclave: el ala del Concilio Vaticano II toma la palabra |url=https://www.vidanuevadigital.com/2025/04/30/fin-del-monopolio-en-el-preconclave-el-ala-del-concilio-vaticano-ii-toma-la-palabra-en-el-preconclave/ |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=Vida Nueva |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Cardinals discuss economic situation of the Holy See at General Congregation |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/seventh-general-congregation-cardinals-wednesday.html |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430131828/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/seventh-general-congregation-cardinals-wednesday.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rainer Woelki]] stated that the meetings thus far had been "fraternal and cordial{{nbsp}}... a very concentrated, calm, factual working atmosphere".<ref name="Catholic News Agency" /> [[Beniamino Stella]], not an elector, made a very strongly-worded critique of Francis's decision to allow [[Catholic laity|lay persons]] to exercise powers of church governance formerly reserved to [[Holy orders in the Catholic Church|clergy]]. This surprised many cardinals, as Stella was viewed as one of Francis's most trusted advisors and a prominent supporter of Parolin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Backer of Cardinal Parolin attacks Pope Francis' push for lay involvement in church governance |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/30/attack-pope-francis-campaign-cardinal-parolin-250534 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250430204414/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/30/attack-pope-francis-campaign-cardinal-parolin-250534 |archive-date=30 April 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=America Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barone |first=Camillo |title=Conclave roundup: Conservative cardinals attack Pope Francis' legacy in US and Italian media |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/conclave-roundup-conservative-cardinals-attack-pope-francis-legacy-us-and |date=1 May 2025 |website=National Catholic Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamb |first=Christopher |date=2 May 2025 |title=Cardinals at a crossroads: Rival camps emerge in battle over new pope |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/02/europe/cardinals-conclave-pope-successor-crossroads-intl |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250502102333/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/02/europe/cardinals-conclave-pope-successor-crossroads-intl |archive-date=2 May 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=CNN}}</ref>
The general congregation did not meet on 1 May, the feast of [[Saint Joseph the Worker]], a [[public holiday]] for the [[Holy See]] and an ecclesiastical counterpart to the secular [[International Workers' Day]] observed on the same day.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 May 2025 |title=Niente Congregazioni, il tempo libero dei cardinali tra mare, jogging e riunioni riservate |url=https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2025/05/01/news/cardinali_tempo_libero_1_maggio-424160031/ |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=La Repubblica |language=it |archive-date=2 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502084222/https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2025/05/01/news/cardinali_tempo_libero_1_maggio-424160031/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''[[National Catholic Reporter]]''{{'s}} Rome bureau reported that Prevost was "emerging as a serious frontrunner".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barone |first1=Camillo |title=Conclave roundup: Conservative cardinals attack Pope Francis' legacy in US and Italian media |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/conclave-roundup-conservative-cardinals-attack-pope-francis-legacy-us-and |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=National Catholic Reporter |date=May 1, 2025}}</ref> At the ninth congregation on 2 May, 177 cardinals were present, of whom 127 were electors. Twenty-six cardinals spoke. Among the subjects discussed were: communion (''[[koinonia]]'') within the church and fraternity in and with the world; the hope of some that the next pope would be 'prophetic'; and the [[2025 Jubilee]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2025 |title=Cardinals discuss need for hope this Jubilee at ninth General Congregation |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/cardinals-discuss-various-issues-at-ninth-general-congregation.html |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=3 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503131031/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/cardinals-discuss-various-issues-at-ninth-general-congregation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The tenth and eleventh congregations were both held on 5 May and discussed a wide range of church topics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2025 |title=All 133 Cardinal electors arrive in Rome as Cardinals hold tenth General Congregation |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/cardinals-tenth-general-congregation-sede-vacante.html |access-date=5 May 2025 |website=Vatican News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2025 |title=11th General Congregation focuses on migration, synodality, unity |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/11th-general-congregation-college-cardinals-monday-afternoon.html |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=6 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506002116/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/11th-general-congregation-college-cardinals-monday-afternoon.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 May, the twelfth and final congregation of the College of Cardinals took place.<ref name="Brockhaus-2025">{{cite news |last1=Brockhaus |first1=Hannah |title=Cardinals witness destruction of Pope Francis' ring, seal |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263875/cardinals-witness-destruction-of-pope-francis-ring-seal |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=Catholic News Agency |date=6 May 2025}}</ref> This congregation witnessed the ceremonial destruction of Francis's symbols of office: his [[fisherman's ring]] and [[Bulla (seal)|lead seal]].<ref name="Brockhaus-2025" />
==Conclave== [[File:A Swiss Guard Unlocks the Door Outside of the Sistine Chapel for Secretary Kerry (11948661293).jpg|thumb|The doors of the Sistine Chapel (pictured in 2014) were shut at 5:46{{nbsp}}p.m. on 7 May.]]
===Day one=== On 7 May, the conclave began. It was preceded by Cardinal [[Giovanni Battista Re]], the dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrating the Mass {{lang|la|pro eligendo Pontifice}} ({{lit|for the election of the Pontiff}}) in [[St. Peter's Basilica]] at 10{{nbsp}}am [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] (08:00 UTC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2025/5/7/missa-proeligendo-pontifice.html |publisher=Holy See|website=Vatican.va|url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250501130226/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2025/5/7/missa-proeligendo-pontifice.html |archive-date=1 May 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> All support staff, such as [[sacristan]]s, medical staff, elevator operators, and the director of security services for the Vatican, along with officers and officials of the conclave, had taken their solemn oath of secrecy on 5 May.<ref name="Catholic Review-2025" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Esteves |first=Junno Arocho |date=29 April 2025|title=Vatican drivers, staff to swear oath of secrecy ahead of conclave |url=https://www.osvnews.com/vatican-drivers-staff-to-swear-oath-of-secrecy-ahead-of-conclave/ |access-date=30 April 2025 |agency=[[Our Sunday Visitor]] }}</ref> At 4:30{{nbsp}}pm, the conclave officially began with a prayer service in the [[Cappella Paolina|Pauline Chapel]], at the end of which the electors entered the Sistine Chapel in procession. Once there, the hymn ''[[Veni Creator Spiritus]]'' ("Come, Creator Spirit") was sung and the 133 cardinal electors then swore themselves to secrecy.<ref name="NPR" /><ref name="Vatican News-2025" /><ref name="Brennan-2025">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/papal-conclave-live-updates-cardinals-gather-vatican-elect/?id=121506573|title=Papal conclave live updates: Cardinals take oath of secrecy ahead of conclave|work=ABC News|date=7 May 2025|access-date=7 May 2025|first1=David|last1=Brennan|first2=Jon|last2=Haworth|first3=Julia|last3=Jacobo|first4=Megan|last4=Forrester|archive-date=7 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507161105/https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/papal-conclave-live-updates-cardinals-gather-vatican-elect/?id=121506573|url-status=live}}</ref> Each cardinal elector in order of seniority placed his hands on a [[Book of the Gospels]] and made the affirmation aloud in Latin:<ref name="Povoledo-2025">{{cite news |last=Povoledo |first=Elisabetta |date=7 May 2025 |title=Cardinals Begin Conclave With an Oath |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/world/europe/cardinals-conclave-oath.html |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=8 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508090321/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/world/europe/cardinals-conclave-oath.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
<blockquote>{{Verse translation|{{lang|la|Et ego}} [prænomen] {{lang|la|Cardinalis}} [nomen] {{lang|la|spondeo, voveo ac iuro. Sic me Deus adiuvet et haec Sancta Dei Evangelia, quae manu mea tango.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 May 2025 |title=From 'extra omnes' to 'habemus papam': Brush up on your Church Latin |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/extra-omnes-habemus-papam-brush-050931408.html |access-date=10 May 2025 |website=Yahoo News |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur |archive-date=10 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510012818/https://www.yahoo.com/news/extra-omnes-habemus-papam-brush-050931408.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}|And I, [forename] Cardinal [surname], do so promise, pledge, and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels, which I touch with my hand.<ref name="Povoledo-2025" />}}</blockquote>
[[Diego Ravelli]], the [[papal master of ceremonies]], then called out the words {{lang|la|[[wikt:extra omnes|Extra omnes]]}}, a command for everyone who is not a cardinal elector or an official of the conclave to leave the chamber.<ref name="Krupa-2025">{{Cite web |last=Krupa |first=Jakub |date=7 May 2025 |title=Conclave begins as locking of Sistine Chapel signals formal start to process to elect new pope – live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/may/07/new-pope-conclave-catholic-cardinals-papacy-vote-white-black-smoke-latest-live-news |url-status= |access-date=7 May 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He then shut the entrance to the Sistine Chapel at 5:46{{nbsp}}p.m.<ref name="Brennan-2025" /><ref name="Krupa-2025" /> Cardinal [[Raniero Cantalamessa]], the longtime Capuchin preacher of the pontifical household, then offered a reflection to the cardinals behind the closed doors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 April 2025|title=How the College of Cardinals chose the date for the next conclave|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/28/conclave-date-college-cardinals-250507|access-date=29 April 2025|website=America Magazine|archive-date=28 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428214432/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/28/conclave-date-college-cardinals-250507|url-status=live}}</ref> Reportedly, the remarks lasted for over an hour, delaying the start of the first ballot (and, consequently, the smoke reporting out its results); at one point, Cardinal [[Pietro Parolin|Parolin]] asked the assembled cardinal electors if they wanted to postpone the first vote until the next morning — they did not.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/world/europe/conclave-vote-pope-leo-robert-prevost.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GU8.94kO.5ynU9SABQMf0&smid=nytcore-android-share|title=How a Quiet American Cardinal Became Pope|first1=Jason|last1=Horowitz|first2=Emma|last2=Bubola|first3=Elizabeth|last3=Dias|first4=Patricia|last4=Mazzei|work=The New York Times |date=11 May 2025|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
Given the conclave had begun in the afternoon, only a single ballot was held on this first day.<ref name="Zengarini-2025" /> According to some reports, Parolin, the frontrunner, received more than 40 votes on the first ballot, while the rest of the field was considerably split.<ref name="Agenzia ANSA-2025" /><ref name="Meichtry, Stancati, Lovett & Walker 2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-conclave-election-robert-prevost-0eb0f255 | title=How an American Cardinal Beat the Odds to Become Pope|last1=Meichtry|first1=Stacy|last2=Stancati|first2=Margherita|last3=Lovett|first3=Ian|last4=Walker|first4=Marcus|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=9 May 2025|access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="Zurlo-2025">{{cite news |last=Zurlo |first=Stefano |date=9 May 2025 |title=La delusione italiana. Il favorito Parolin rimasto senza i voti da Africa e Asia. Decisivi pre-conclave e la 'regia' di Dolan |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/parolin-e-litalia-i-grandi-delusi-rimasto-senza-voti-africa-2476395.html |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=Il Giornale |language=it |archive-date=9 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509223218/https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/parolin-e-litalia-i-grandi-delusi-rimasto-senza-voti-africa-2476395.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to other reports, [[Pope Leo XIV|Prevost]] was the most voted candidate in the first ballot, slightly above Parolin, with [[Péter Erdő]], one of the main conservative candidates, in third place.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Navarro-Pareja |first1=José Ramón |last2=Martínez-Brocal |first2=Javier |date=9 May 2025 |title=El cardenal Prevost dio la sorpresa y lideró el cónclave desde la primera votación |url=https://www.abc.es/sociedad/cardenal-prevost-dio-sorpresa-lidero-conclave-primera-20250509170703-nt.html |language=es-mx |newspaper=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]] |location=Vatican City |access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Bubola |first2=Emma |last3=Dias |first3=Elizabeth |last4=Mazzei |first4=Patricia |date=11 May 2025 |title=How a Quiet American Cardinal Became Pope |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/world/europe/conclave-vote-pope-leo-robert-prevost.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GU8.94kO.5ynU9SABQMf0&smid=nytcore-android-share |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |location=Vatican City |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref> The first day of the conclave ended at 9:00{{nbsp}}p.m., after black smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signifying that the vote taken had not resulted in the election of a new pope.<ref name="Krupa-2025" /> [[Vatican Media]] reported that up to 45,000 people had gathered in [[St. Peter's Square]] to await the smoke.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Christian |last2=Kent |first2=Lauren |last3=Kemp |first3=Olivia |last4=Chowdhury |first4=Maureen |date=7 May 2025 |title=Live updates: New pope to be elected by the conclave |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-pope-conclave-day-one-05-07-25#cmae82aw8000g3b6panwf37js |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=CNN |archive-date=8 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508001211/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-pope-conclave-day-one-05-07-25#cmae82aw8000g3b6panwf37js |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Day two=== [[File:White Smoke Papal Conclave 2025.webm|thumb|White smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney. Faithful onlookers rejoiced, shouting "{{lang|la|[[Habemus papam]]}}!" ({{langnf|la||We have a pope}}) and "{{lang|it|Viva il papa}}!" ({{langnf|it||Long live the pope}}) in [[St. Peter's Square]].]] [[File:Pope Leo XIV on the loggia.jpg|thumb|Pope Leo XIV on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica following his election]] The second day of the conclave began with two ballots, concluding at approximately 10:30{{nbsp}}a.m. and 11:45{{nbsp}}a.m., respectively.<ref>{{cite news |title=What's happening today? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn4we7prv4rt?post=asset%3A18245872-6f56-4470-8db4-55e6e1d7b2fe#post |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=BBC News |date=8 May 2025}}</ref> Black smoke appeared at 11:51{{nbsp}}a.m., again signifying that no pope had been elected. Smoke is not produced after each ballot, but rather only at the end of each session (ballot cards from two unsuccessful votes in a morning session or two votes in an afternoon session are usually burned together once each pair of votes has been completed).<ref>{{cite web |last=Povoledo |first=Elisabetta |date=7 May 2025 |title=What Does Black Smoke Mean During Conclave to Elect New Pope? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/world/europe/black-smoke-white-smoke-vatican-pope-vote-conclave.html |quote=The ballots are burned after two rounds of voting, unless a pope is chosen. |newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=8 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope Leo says Church must illuminate 'dark nights of this world' in first Mass |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cn4we7prv4rt?post=asset:439b5bed-7129-46fe-a86a-99a81125167b#post |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=BBC News|quote=There will only be smoke rising from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel if it is white – which means a successor has been elected. If the electing cardinals have not chosen a pope yet, there won't be any smoke.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope conclave live: Black smoke emerges in St Peter's Square, indicating no decision on new pope |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cn4we7prv4rt |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=BBC News |date=7 May 2025}}</ref> According to several reports, during this morning session of day 2, Cardinal Parolin received 40 to 50 votes but failed to pick up support from African and Asian cardinals, some of whom started to support Prevost.
Pope Francis's strongest supporters were divided between Cardinals [[Jean-Marc Aveline]] (France) and [[Mario Grech]] (Malta), while Asian cardinals were splitting their votes between the two Filipino Cardinals [[Luis Antonio Tagle]] and [[Pablo Virgilio David]]. Cardinal Prevost enjoyed broad support from South American and [[Anglosphere]] cardinals, thanks also to the strong support of [[Timothy Dolan]], who supposedly functioned as something of a kingmaker.<ref name="Agenzia ANSA-2025" /><ref name="Zurlo-2025" /><ref name="Giusti-2025">{{cite web |last=Giusti|first=Marta|date=10 May 2025 |title=Prevost, quanti voti ha preso nel Conclave? La conta (insufficiente) di Parolin, il piano B italiano con Filoni e lo 'sgambetto' americano: così è stato eletto Papa |url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/vaticano/prevost_quanti_voti_ha_preso_conclave_parolin_tradito_italiani_pizzaballa_zuppi_piano_b_filoni-8827339.html |access-date=10 May 2025 |website=Il Messaggero |language=it}}</ref> The cardinals then returned to the Domus Sanctae Marthae for lunch,<ref name="Quotidiano Nazionale-2025">{{Cite web |date=8 May 2025 |title=Seconda fumata nera: a che ora sarà la prossima e quante votazioni per il Papa ci sono oggi |url=https://www.quotidiano.net/cronaca/seconda-fumata-nera-votazioni-orari-fhz2w0jv |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=Quotidiano Nazionale |language=it}}</ref> where the breadth of support for Prevost became clearer.<ref name="Meichtry, Stancati, Lovett & Walker 2025" /><ref name=":0" /> Cardinals later told the [[Associated Press]] that the result was becoming clear by the third ballot, as the votes were moving toward Prevost.<ref name=AP122025>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-conclave-election-turkey-lebanon-a05aa3b72e8c509af4d6775ba0a0b7be|title=Pope Leo XIV shares his thoughts on the conclave, reflects on spirituality and future travels|last=Winfield|first=Nicole|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=2 December 2025}}</ref> Pope Leo XIV later stated that after the third ballot, "I resigned myself to the fact when I saw how things were going and I said 'This could be a reality.'"<ref name=AP122025/> By the end of the morning session, there were 15,000 people in St. Peter's Square and 5,000 people at the basilica of [[Santa Maria Maggiore]]. More were expected during the afternoon session, since in the two most recent conclaves a new pope had been elected on either the fourth or fifth ballot.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2025 |title=Conclave 2025, l'elezione del Papa in diretta: tutte le notizie {{!}} La prima fumata di oggi è nera. Re: "Auspico sia bianca stasera". Si ricomincia alle 16.30 |url=https://roma.corriere.it/cronaca/diretta-live/25_maggio_08/conclave-2025-elezione-papa-diretta.shtml |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it-IT}}</ref>
After the lunch recess, the cardinals returned to the Sistine Chapel for the next and fourth round of voting.<ref name="Quotidiano Nazionale-2025" /> The cardinals' support coalesced around Prevost, who received more than the two-thirds majority of 89 required: he reportedly received more than 100 votes on the fourth (and final) ballot.<ref name="Meichtry, Stancati, Lovett & Walker 2025"/><ref name="Giusti-2025" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/cardinali-conclave-prevost-molto-piu-100-voti-AHxjsvg|title=Cardinali, al Conclave per Prevost molto più di 100 voti|trans-title=Cardinals, at the conclave for Prevost much more than 100 votes|access-date=10 May 2025|website=Il Sole 24 Ore|date=10 May 2025 |language=it|archive-date=10 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510115522/https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/cardinali-conclave-prevost-molto-piu-100-voti-AHxjsvg|url-status=live}}</ref>
Parolin, as the most senior cardinal in the conclave, asked Prevost if he accepted his election as Supreme Pontiff, and by what [[papal name]] he would be known. Having quietly accepted his election, Prevost announced to the cardinals his chosen papal name ''Leo'',<ref name="Meichtry, Stancati, Lovett & Walker 2025" /> chosen at least in part to honor [[Pope Leo XIII]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Galeazzi|first=Giacomo|date=May 8, 2025 |title=Leone, nome forte contro i potenti. Un omaggio alla dottrina sociale|url=https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/speciali/conclave/2025/05/09/news/leone_nome_forte_contro_i_potenti-15138555/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=La Stampa |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Who is Pope Leo XIV and why does he overcome a taboo against a US pontiff? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/who-is-pope-leo-xiv/105271844 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |agency=ABC News}}</ref> Following the pope's acceptance of his election, the cardinals applauded, and he embraced them. He then exited the Sistine Chapel to the Room of Tears to be robed in the garments prepared there for the new pope.
After the fourth round of voting, white smoke appeared at 6:07{{nbsp}}p.m., followed by the ringing of the bells of St. Peter's Basilica, confirming and signifying the election of a new pope.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krupa |first=Jakub |date=8 May 2025 |title=Conclave live: cardinals resume voting on new pope |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/may/08/new-pope-conclave-vatican-white-black-smoke-papacy-catholic-cardinals |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/2025-papal-conclave-full-recap-11729509|title=2025 Papal Conclave Full Recap: Cardinal Robert Prevost Announced as Pope Leo XIV|website=People.com|access-date=8 May 2025|archive-date=10 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510101552/https://people.com/2025-papal-conclave-full-recap-11729509|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hammond |first1=Christian Edwards, Lauren Kent, Olivia Kemp, Billy Stockwell, Maureen Chowdhury, Elise |title=Live updates: Conclave elects new Pope |url=https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-pope-conclave-day-two-05-08-25 |access-date=8 May 2025|website=CNN |date=8 May 2025}}</ref> Soon afterwards, the [[Swiss Guard]] and members of the [[Italian Armed Forces]], along with the bands of the [[Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State]] and the [[Carabinieri]], paraded through St. Peter's Square and took up formation beneath the central [[loggia]] of St. Peter's Basilica. From there, Cardinal [[Protodeacon]] [[Dominique Mamberti]] announced the election of Prevost<ref name="Wooden-2025">{{cite web |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Breaking: Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV |url=https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/breaking-chicago-native-cardinal-prevost-elected-pope-takes-name-leo-xiv |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=Detroit Catholic |archive-date=9 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509061042/https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/breaking-chicago-native-cardinal-prevost-elected-pope-takes-name-leo-xiv |url-status=live }}</ref> and that he had taken the papal name ''Leo XIV''.<ref name="Associated Press-2025">{{cite news |title=Live updates: Robert Prevost of the United States is named Pope Leo XIV |access-date=8 May 2025 |date=8 May 2025|editor-first1=Curtis |editor-last1=Yee|editor-first2=Katarina |editor-last2=Kratovac|editor-first3=Michael |editor-last3=Warren|url=https://apnews.com/live/conclave-pope-catholic-church-updates-5-8-2025#00000196-b0ce-d402-abfe-fafe17fb0000 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2025 |title=The election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, in images |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-05-08/the-election-of-robert-prevost-as-pope-leo-xiv-in-images.html |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=El País English |archive-date=13 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513083635/https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-05-08/the-election-of-robert-prevost-as-pope-leo-xiv-in-images.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{External media|title=External video|topic=|caption=|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E57t_CUjBmk Announcement] of the election of Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV}}
Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony shortly after the official announcement of his election, spoke to the crowd in St. Peter's Square and the world in Italian (while also briefly speaking in [[Peruvian Spanish]] to acknowledge the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Chiclayo|Diocese of Chiclayo]], where he previously served as Bishop), expressed gratitude for Francis's legacy,<ref>{{cite news |last=Stuart |first=Riley |date=May 8, 2025 |title=In 10 minutes, Pope Leo XIV told us a lot about himself, and his agenda |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/pope-leo-told-us-a-lot-about-himself-in-his-first-speech/105272036 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |agency=ABC News |archive-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512110323/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/pope-leo-told-us-a-lot-about-himself-in-his-first-speech/105272036 |url-status=live }}</ref> then delivered the {{lang|la|[[Urbi et Orbi]]}} blessing.<ref name="Wooden-2025"/> He was accompanied by three Papal Masters of Ceremonies, Ravelli, Marco Agostini, and Jean-Jacques Didier Bouable, who led the group as [[Crucifer|cross-bearer]]. Later, Leo XIV was accompanied at the central loggia by the three senior cardinal electors from each order – [[Pietro Parolin]] (senior cardinal bishop), [[Vinko Puljić]] (senior cardinal priest), and [[Dominique Mamberti]] (senior cardinal deacon).
Immediately after the appearance of white smoke, 40,000 were present in St. Peter's Square;<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2025 |title=Oltre 40mila persone in piazza San Pietro |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2025/05/08/oltre-40mila-persone-in-piazza-san-pietro_1676b371-6e4a-44ae-afbb-231d74a449b3.html |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it |archive-date=9 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509170122/https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2025/05/08/oltre-40mila-persone-in-piazza-san-pietro_1676b371-6e4a-44ae-afbb-231d74a449b3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> according to Italian law enforcement, by the time of the {{lang|la|[[habemus papam]]}} announcement, there were up to 150,000 in the square.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2025 |title=Habemus Papam, eletto l'americano Robert Francis Prevost: è Leone XIV. 'La pace sia con voi' |url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2025/05/conclave-elezione-nuovo-papa-da-extra-omnes-habemus-papam-fumata-bianca-fumata-nera-cappella-cardinali-segreto-sistina-riti-bf276539-ade1-4c88-91a1-19dfb7a33151.html#4c09c424-ea38-463d-bda2-01ab211d5ab8 |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=[[Rai News 24]] |language=it}}</ref>
==Post-conclave events== {{See also|International reactions to the election of Pope Leo XIV}} The [[Holy See Press Office]] announced the schedule of activities and liturgical celebrations following the election of Pope Leo XIV.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/inaugural-mass-of-pope-leo-xiv-to-be-held-on-may-18.html|title=Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV to be held on May 18|date=9 May 2025 |access-date=19 May 2025|archive-date=13 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513233419/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/inaugural-mass-of-pope-leo-xiv-to-be-held-on-may-18.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He celebrated his first Mass as pope with the [[College of Cardinals]] in the Sistine Chapel at 11:00 am on 9 May 2025, the day after his election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-homily-faith-college-cardinals-sistine-chapel.html|title=Pope Leo XIV to Cardinals: 'We are to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ'|date=9 May 2025 }}</ref> On 10 May 2025, he met the College of Cardinals in the Synod Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-addresses-cardinals-10-may-2025-vatican.html|title=Pope Leo XIV to Cardinals: Church must respond to digital revolution|date=10 May 2025 }}</ref> In the morning of 11 May, he celebrated a private Mass at the [[Vatican Grottoes]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-celebrates-mass-at-the-tomb-of-saint-peter.html|title=Pope at Mass: Listen without judging - Vatican News|date=11 May 2025}}</ref> paying homage to his predecessors, before delivering his first {{lang|la|[[Regina caeli]]}} address from the central loggia of [[St. Peter's Basilica]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-on-good-shepherd-sunday-may-we-pray-for-vocations.html|title=Pope Leo XIV at Regina Caeli: May we pray for vocations, live a life of service - Vatican News|date=11 May 2025|website=www.vaticannews.va}}</ref> After the address, Leo broke the seals to the [[papal apartments]] of the [[Apostolic Palace]], accompanied by Parolin and Farrell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/seals-removed-from-papal-apartment-of-apostolic-palace.html|title=Seals removed from the papal apartment of the Apostolic Palace - Vatican News|date=11 May 2025|website=www.vaticannews.va}}</ref>
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his [[Papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV|inauguration Mass]] on 18 May 2025 at [[St. Peter's Square]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bigg |first1=Matthew Mpoke |last2=Povoledo |first2=Elisabetta |title=Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass Draws World Leaders and Catholic Faithful |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/18/world/pope-leo-xiv-mass |access-date=15 August 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=May 27, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Vatican-Inauguration-2025>{{cite web |accessdate=17 May 2025 |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-s-liturgical-celebrations-this-may.html|work=[[Vatican News]]|title=Vatican releases Pope Leo XIV's liturgical celebrations for May|first=Deborah Castellano |last=Lubov|date=12 May 2025 }}</ref> He took canonical possession of the three other major basilicas on 20 May ([[Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls]]) and 25 May ([[Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran]] and [[Santa Maria Maggiore|Basilica of St. Mary Major]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winfield |first1=Nicole |title=Pope Leo XIV declares 'I am Roman!' as he completes formalities to become bishop of Rome |url=https://apnews.com/article/rome-pope-bishop-ceremony-basilicas-ae01507115934e82a15e5f6758d08637 |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=[[AP News]] |date=May 26, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> He had his first general audience on 21 May. On 24 May, he met the Roman Curia and the Vatican City State employees. On 31 May, he conferred his first presbyteral ordination as bishop of Rome to the priests of the [[Diocese of Rome]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/events/month.dir.html/2025/5.html|title=Calendar of Activities (May 2025)|access-date=19 May 2025|archive-date=18 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518101804/https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/events/month.dir.html/2025/5.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In early 2026, a book authored by spouses and Vatican correspondents [[Gerard O'Connell (journalist)|Gerard O'Connell]] and [[Elisabetta Piqué]] titled ''The Election of Pope Leo XIV'' was released, saying that during conclave, a security breach was performed by a cardinal when he was spotted with a cellphone. According to the authors, security officials detected an active signal of a mobile phone connection as the clerics prepare for their first vote. The cardinal subsequently surrendered his phone after an elder cleric noticed. The book, however, did not name the cardinal. The event occurred inside the Sistine Chapel, where [[jamming devices]] are placed to prevent external communications. The Vatican press office neither confirmed nor denied the book's account of the incident.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McElwee |first1=Joshua |title=Cardinal found with phone during secret conclave to elect Pope Leo, book says |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/cardinal-found-with-phone-during-secret-conclave-elect-pope-leo-book-says-2026-03-01/ |access-date=15 March 2026 |work=Reuters |date=1 March 2026}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikinews|Robert Francis Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV}} {{Commons category}} * {{YouTube|id=JXXj55JJGlU|title=Holy Mass ''Pro eligendo Pontifice'' (official video from the Vatican)}} * {{YouTube|id=wBuainsjik8|title=Procession and Entrance into the Conclave (official video from the Vatican)}} * {{YouTube|id=E57t_CUjBmk|title=Announcement of the election of Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV (official video from the Vatican)}} * {{YouTube|id=_dvmi99Pp3I|title=White Smoke and ''Habemus Papam'' (official video from the Vatican)}} * {{YouTube|id=lAudmA9oAoA|title=Leo XIV's First Public Appearance (official video from the Vatican)}}
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