Shillong, April 29: The conclave to elect a new Pope will officially begin on May 7, the Holy See Press Office announced on Monday.
The conclave is being convened to hold a vote that will decide the future of the Roman Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis last week at the age of 88.
The decision was made during the fifth General Congregation of the Cardinals currently present in Rome. Around 180 cardinals participated in the meeting, where they agreed on the start date for the historic gathering.
The conclave will be held inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, which will be closed to visitors throughout the proceedings.
With the date now set, the cardinals have just over a week to continue discussions, form alliances, and assess potential candidates. Some contenders are expected to advocate for building on Pope Francis’ emphasis on a pastoral, inclusive approach, while others may favor a return to a more traditional direction for the Catholic Church.
The Cardinals are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday morning, with campaigning and deliberations expected to intensify in the days leading up to the conclave.
