Vatican City – The world is watching as the Vatican prepares to begin the sacred and secretive conclave tomorrow to elect the next Pope, following the death of Pope Francis. Cardinals from across the globe have gathered for this historic moment, with 133 eligible electors now present in Vatican City.
The final pre-conclave general meeting of all Cardinals is being held today, setting the stage for the solemn voting process inside the Sistine Chapel. Preparations are in full swing: the traditional chimney has been installed to signal the election outcome—white smoke for success, black for no decision—and the special stove for burning the ballots is now in place.
The duration of the conclave remains unpredictable, with past elections taking anywhere from a few hours to several months. Leading the process is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the former Vatican Secretary of State.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni noted that many Cardinals hope to choose a Pope who embodies humility and remains closely connected to the people. With the Catholic world in anticipation, the conclave marks a defining moment for the future direction of the Church.
