Cardinals Set May 7 For Historic Conclave To Elect Pope Francis’s Successor Amid ‘Hope Of Unity’
Catholic cardinals have set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor. The decision was made after informal meetings following Pope Francis' funeral.
Catholic cardinals on Monday set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor, giving themselves additional time to familiarise with one another before being sequestered in the Sistine Chapel for the secret voting process. The decision came after cardinals gathered for the first day of informal meetings following Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
While the conclave could have commenced as early as May 5 or 6, the cardinals opted to delay proceedings to engage in informal sessions that also involve cardinals aged over 80, who are barred from voting once the conclave begins, according to an Associated Press (AP) report.
“There is the hope of unity,” said Argentine Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi, the 66-year-old Archbishop of Cordoba, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023, as quoted by AP's report.
On Monday morning, some 180 cardinals set the date of the conclave during the fifth General Congregation in the Vatican. https://t.co/6epfwHrvnb pic.twitter.com/fOcif3D1Xm
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 28, 2025
Many cardinals have expressed the desire to continue Pope Francis’ pastoral focus on marginalised communities and opposition to war. However, conservatives are reportedly more inclined towards fostering unity and returning the Church’s focus to core doctrines championed by St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, rather than continuing Francis’ emphasis on social justice and outreach towards women and the LGBTQ+ community.
British Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the 79-year-old Archbishop of Westminster, stressed the importance of unity, downplaying any divisions. “The role of the pope is to essentially hold us together and that’s the grace we’ve been given from God,” Nichols said, as per the report.
Venezuelan Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo expressed optimism that the conclave would deliver a decision swiftly, predicting it would take “between two and three days” once voting begins.
College Of Cardinals To Elect New Pope
The College of Cardinals tasked with electing the new pope includes members from across the globe, many of whom were appointed by Pope Francis during his 12-year papacy. Of the 135 cardinal electors, 108 were named by Francis, injecting fresh perspectives into the process. Nevertheless, many electors have had limited interaction with one another, adding an element of unpredictability, as consensus from two-thirds of the voting cardinals is required.
Nichols acknowledged the limited familiarity among cardinals, saying, “We’ve got all week,” as he arrived for the meetings.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. It remains unclear how many of the 135 will participate, as a Spanish cardinal has already indicated he would not travel to Rome for health reasons.
Will Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Accused Of Financial Misconduct, Participate In Papal Election?
An unresolved question surrounds the participation of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, once a powerful figure in the Vatican. In 2020, Pope Francis compelled Becciu to resign from his position and renounce his cardinal rights due to allegations of financial misconduct. Although Becciu, who was convicted on finance-related charges in December 2023, has appealed the ruling, his eligibility to vote remains under scrutiny. While Vatican statistics list him as a “non-elector,” Becciu has recently asserted his right to participate, leading canon lawyers to examine conclave regulations. The issue was discussed among cardinals on Monday, but without a resolution, the Vatican said.
Will Cardinals Vote To Support Pope Francis' Reforms?
Despite Francis appointing the majority of electors, it is not certain that all will support a continuation of his reforms. On Monday, journalists scrambled to capture reactions, with Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, seen as a strong contender, humourously telling the crowd he was “holding his breath” as he navigated the throng, AP reported.
Nigerian Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, was asked whether African cardinals were backing a particular candidate. Notably, African bishops last year opposed Francis’ declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. “We have not come here for a political rally. We have come to get a pope out,” said Onaiyekan, who at 81 is not eligible to vote but retains influence among younger electors, as per AP.
Cardinal Anthony Poola, the 61-year-old Archbishop of Hyderabad, also noted a sense of unity among cardinals but cautioned that “anything could happen.” Poola, one of four Indian electors, three of whom were appointed by Francis, expressed hope for a worthy successor: “Anyone who is coming up must be the successor of St. Peter, and we all hope that he will be a good pope.”
Cardinal Rossi, echoing Francis’ themes of “mercy, closeness, charity, tenderness and faith,” said he hoped these values would guide the process. Laughing when asked about his first conclave experience, Rossi candidly admitted, “Afraid.”
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