Historic Papal Conclave begins tomorrow as cardinals prepare to elect new pope

Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Vatican is now set for one of the most significant events in the Catholic Church — the election of a new pope. On Wednesday, 133 cardinal electors from 70 countries will gather inside the Sistine Chapel to begin the secretive conclave. Preparations began Tuesday as the cardinals moved into Vatican accommodations.

This conclave will be the largest and most internationally diverse in the Church’s history, with participants from five continents. Most of the cardinals will stay at Santa Marta guesthouse, while others will be housed in nearby Vatican facilities due to limited space. Their rooms are assigned by lottery, and the process begins with a special mass on Wednesday morning.

The cardinals have been meeting regularly since Pope Francis’s death to discuss pressing issues like Church unity, financial reform, and abuse scandals. While there are at least “five or six” known contenders, insiders say no single candidate has emerged as the obvious successor. Despite this, many believe the decision will materialize naturally during deliberations.

While Pope Francis, like his predecessor Benedict XVI, was elected within two days, history shows that papal elections can last much longer — the record being 1,006 days in the 13th century. Once the conclave begins, cardinals are cut off from the outside world. Mobile phones are confiscated, and even support staff are bound by oaths of secrecy.

The world will know the outcome by the color of smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel — black indicating no decision, and white signaling the election of a new pope. Until then, the global Catholic community watches and waits for the next chapter in Church leadership.