A total of 133 cardinals from 70 countries gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica today for a solemn Mass ahead of the conclave to elect a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88
The Mass, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, called on the electors to choose a pontiff capable of guiding both the Church and humanity through the profound challenges of the modern world, including rapid technological change and a growing sense of spiritual neglect.
After the Mass, the cardinals processed to the Sistine Chapel, where they swore oaths of secrecy before beginning the centuries-old tradition of papal voting. The conclave will follow the familiar custom of using smoke signals to communicate its progress—black smoke indicating no decision, and white smoke signaling the election of a new pope.
This conclave is the most globally diverse in the Church’s history, reflecting Pope Francis’s efforts to broaden representation within the College of Cardinals during his papacy. Many of the participating cardinals were appointed by him, which could influence both the length of the deliberations and the direction of the Church’s future.
Among the leading candidates are Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a skilled diplomat; Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, seen as a progressive voice from Asia; and Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdő, a conservative figure with strong theological credentials.
As the world watches the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, the Church enters a decisive moment in its history—one that will determine who will lead over 1.3 billion Catholics into the next era.
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