Cardinals Gather in Rome to Elect Successor to Pope Francis

Conclave Preparations Underway

• 📌 Over 100 cardinals convened in Rome following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
• 🗓️ The cardinals are in the discussion stage, with the formal conclave to elect a new pope set to begin on or after May 5th, following nine days of public mourning.
• 🏛️ The meetings are being held under the leadership of the cardinal in charge of the Holy See's day-to-day operations.

The Election Process

• ⛪ Cardinal electors, those under 80 years old, will participate in the conclave within the Sistine Chapel.
• 🗳️ Voting begins with a single ballot on the first day, where cardinals can vote for themselves.
• 💯 A candidate needs the support of 90 cardinals to be elected, which may require multiple rounds of voting.

Signaling the New Pope

• 💨 The outside world receives updates on the conclave's progress through the white smoke emitted from the Sistine Chapel chimney after each voting round.
• 🔔 The election of a new pontiff is ultimately announced by the bells of St. Peter's Basilica.