The Vatican announced that Catholic cardinals will begin voting for a new pope on May 7, following the death of Pope Francis. The cardinals, who are under 80 years old, will meet in the Sistine Chapel to select the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. This decision was made after a meeting of cardinals earlier on Monday, two days after Francis’ funeral.
Currently, 135 of the 252 cardinals are eligible to vote, and while many of them are still getting acquainted, they have already held several meetings. Despite the challenges of having such a large and diverse group, Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti described the atmosphere as “fraternal.”
The Sistine Chapel has been closed for preparations, and while there’s little consensus on who will be chosen, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson are seen as possible frontrunners. Bookmakers suggest Parolin holds a slight edge.
Francis’s tenure was marked by reforms that earned him both admiration and opposition, especially from conservative factions in the Church. As the cardinals begin their deliberations, many are seeking a leader capable of uniting the Church during a time of division. Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga of the Central African Republic emphasized the need for a courageous leader, someone who can guide the Church through its challenges.
The conclave, which could last several days, follows strict voting procedures, requiring a two-thirds majority to elect the new pope. The 2023 election is particularly important as the Church faces significant challenges, including declining church attendance and the aftermath of the clerical sex abuse scandals. Many, like Italian visitor Patrizia Spotti, hope the new pope will continue the compassionate path laid out by Francis.