VATICAN CONCLAVE BEGINS AS CARDINALS GATHER TO ELECT POPE FRANCIS’ SUCCESSOR 

Catholic cardinals from around the world have convened at the Vatican to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The secretive voting process is taking place within the Sistine Chapel, where ballots will continue until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority.

If no pope is chosen after three days of voting, the process will pause for a 24-hour period of reflection before resuming. Historically, no papal conclave has lasted beyond four days since 1831.

The world will watch for signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black smoke (fumata nera) will indicate no decision has been made, while white smoke (fumata bianca) and the ringing of St. Peter’s Basilica bells will herald the election of a new pontiff.

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