Conclave begins as World awaits for a smoke signal
The solemn process to elect the 267th pope following the death of Pope Francis has commenced as 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
According to the statement issued by the Vatican on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the papal election process began with the celebration of the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff at 11:00 am Kenyan time in St Peter’s Basilica.
“The first event to be covered will be the “Missa pro eligendo Romano Pontifice” (Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff), which will begin at 10:00 AM on May 7, in St Peter’s Basilica. It will be broadcast in 11 languages (Italian, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Polish, Chinese, Arabic, and Vietnamese) and in Spanish Sign Language. The liturgy will also be broadcast on shortwave radio in English, French, and Portuguese to Africa,” the Vatican statement reads in part.
Upon entering the chapel at 5:30 pm Kenyan time, each cardinal will take an oath of secrecy, pledging to uphold the confidentiality of the election process and to resist any external influence.
“In the afternoon, at 4:30 PM, the entry of the cardinal electors into the Conclave will take place, along with their oath-taking ceremony before the ‘Extra omnes” – the moment when the doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed to begin the voting,” the Vatican statement reads in part.
Smoke signal
The Vatican further stated that observers can expect smoke signals at the end of the morning and afternoon sessions, typically around 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM Kenyan time. However, if a pope is elected during a morning or afternoon session, white smoke may appear earlier, signalling the joyous news to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and those watching around the globe.
“Beginning on the afternoon of May 7, anticipation will mount for the white smoke, which signals the election of the new pope. The reports will document the results of the votes and the resulting smoke signals, which will appear at the end of the morning and the end of the day if black, or also in mid-morning or mid-afternoon if white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney,” the Vatican statement reads in part.
In addition, the Vatican stated that once white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney signalling the election of the new pope, Vatican media will provide comprehensive coverage, allowing viewers worldwide to witness the announcement and introduction of the new pontiff.
“From the moment the white smoke appears, it will also be possible to follow the key moments of anticipation for the new pope via live broadcasts on Facebook in 10 languages,” the Vatican stated.
Cardinals electors
The 135 cardinal electors of the College of Cardinals come from 71 different countries across all five continents.
Regarding age, the youngest Cardinal Elector is Mikola Bychok, a 45-year-old Australian of Ukrainian origin, while the oldest is Spanish Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, aged 79.
Six cardinals were born in the 1970s: Italian Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, Vicar of the Diocese of Rome, who will turn 55 this November; Canadian Cardinal Frank Leo; Lithuanian Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major; Indian Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue; Portuguese Cardinal Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar; and Italian-born Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, marking the first time Mongolia will be represented in a conclave.
Other age demographics include 50 cardinals born in the 1940s, 47 in the 1950s, and 31 in the 1960s. The most represented birth year is 1947, with 13 cardinals who are either 78 or approaching that age.
Kenya not voting
Archbishop Philip Anyolo on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, cleared concerns about the eligibility of Cardinal John Njue to participate in the conclave to determine the next Pope.
While John Cardinal Njue retired from active ministry in 2021, he remains an elector and a member of the conclave since he has yet to attain the age of 80.
“In response to various enquiries concerning whether His Eminence John Cardinal Njue will be participating in the forthcoming conclave scheduled to commence on 7th May, 2025, I hereby confirm that although His Eminence is eligible to participate and was officially invited through the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, the Apostolic Nuncio, in concurrence with the Office of the Archbishop of Nairobi, duly communicated to the competent office of the Holy See that, owing to his current health condition, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue will be unable to travel to Rome and take part in the Conclave,” Anyolo clarified.
