Conclave Lockdown Begins as Cardinals Vote for New Pope
Cardinals from around the world have entered the Vatican for a secret vote to elect Pope Francis’s successor after his passing on April 21.
The Vatican has officially started the process of choosing a new pope, with 133 cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel this week for a conclave. This follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, ending his 12-year leadership of the Catholic Church.
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The cardinals — all under the age of 80 — are now under strict secrecy rules, including a news blackout and phone signal shutdown, as they begin their vote.
Voting Under Lockdown Starts Wednesday
The election will kick off with a Mass on Wednesday morning, followed by the first round of voting in the afternoon. The cardinals are isolated inside the Vatican and risk automatic excommunication if they leak anything about the process. Even support staff like cleaners, cooks, and medics have been sworn to silence.
Voting will continue until one cardinal gains at least two-thirds of the vote. Historically, this can take anywhere from two to five days.
Largest and Most Diverse Conclave in Church History
This 2025 conclave is the largest and most internationally diverse ever, with representatives from nearly 70 countries across five continents. About 80% of the voters were appointed by Pope Francis, known for his reforms and more progressive stance on many issues.
But despite his influence, experts caution that this doesn’t guarantee the next pope will share his views. Many within the Church are still pushing for a return to more traditional teachings.
What the Cardinals Are Looking For
In the weeks leading up to the vote, cardinals have been holding daily meetings to discuss what kind of leader the Church needs now. Among the priorities: addressing internal divisions, continuing financial reforms, and dealing with the long-standing issue of sexual abuse by clergy.
They’ve also acknowledged global crises, calling for ceasefires in war-torn areas like Ukraine and the Middle East—causes Pope Francis often spoke about.
Names Floating, But No Guarantees
While there’s no official list of candidates, some names have gained attention. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomat, is seen as a front-runner. Others include Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines and Peter Erdo of Hungary.
Read More: A Filipino Cardinal Could Be the Next Pope
Still, with no campaigning allowed and votes cast in secret, many insiders say the outcome could be unexpected.
Vatican Goes Silent, Smoke Will Speak
As tradition dictates, the cardinals will signal the results of each vote by burning the ballots — black smoke means no decision yet; white smoke signals a new pope has been chosen.
Until then, the world waits as the future of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church lies in the hands of a few dozen men behind closed doors.
This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here