Pope Francis, the esteemed leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88 on April 21, just a day after his heartfelt Easter Sunday appearance at St. Peters Square. During this public gathering, he delivered blessings to thousands of devoted Catholic supporters who had gathered to celebrate the significant occasion. The Vatican confirmed on Monday that Francis died following a stroke, marking the end of a pontificate that began in 2013.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known to the world as Pope Francis, made history as the first Latin American pontiff and was elected to lead the Church after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, made the unprecedented decision to resignan act not seen in nearly 600 years. His groundbreaking appointment was recognized globally, earning him the title of TIMEs Person of the Year in 2013. Over the years, Pope Francis became synonymous with humility, compassion, and a fervent commitment to social justice, often addressing pressing global issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis and reflects upon his immense contributions to the Church and society, his death initiates a significant leadership transition period at the Vatican known as the interregnum. This period is marked by the absence of a sitting Pope, commonly referred to in Latin as sede vacante, meaning 'the vacant seat.'

Following the passing of a Pope, the Vatican observes a traditional nine days of mourning known as the novendiales. The process to elect a new Pope generally commences between 15 to 20 days after the death. The camerlengo, a cardinal tasked with managing the affairs of the Church during this transitional phase, organizes the election process, known as the conclave. This procedure has been depicted in various media, including the critically acclaimed film Conclave released in 2024.

In December of the previous year, Pope Francis appointed 21 new Cardinals from around the globe, emphasizing a diverse representation that included progressive ideals and advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Church, as reported by NPR. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the electors who will select the next Pope were personally appointed by Francis, which could significantly influence the direction of the Church moving forward.

Before the election begins, the electorate traditionally gathers for a mass to seek spiritual guidance, as outlined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The electors convene in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guesthouse where Pope Francis chose to reside in a modest two-room suite, opting for simplicity over the luxurious accommodations of the Apostolic Palace.

During the conclave, a profound sense of secrecy envelops Vatican City. Cardinals are prohibited from communicating with anyone outside the conclaves location, except in cases of genuine urgency. After the funeral rites and a mass for the deceased Pope, the electors proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where they take an oath of discretion. The doors are then locked, sealing the decision-making process from the public.

The voting mechanism involves electors casting their votes via secret ballots imprinted with the phrase in summum pontificem, meaning 'I elect as supreme pontiff.' The folded ballots are deposited in urns and subsequently counted by three randomly selected cardinals acting as scrutineers. The voting continues until a candidate secures two-thirds of the vote, a process governed by the Vatican constitution known as Universi Dominici Gregis or 'the Lords whole flock.' This constitution was established by St. John Paul II in 1996 and later amended by Benedict XVI in 2007 to require a two-thirds majority for election.

The public remains informed about the proceedings through the age-old tradition of smoke signals emitted from the Sistine Chapel. White smoke indicates that a new Pope has been chosen, while black smoke signifies the need for further voting rounds. Once a candidate is elected, the dean of the College of Cardinalscurrently Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Reapproaches the new Pope to confirm his acceptance of the title. The newly elected pontiff then selects his papal name before stepping onto the balcony of St. Peters Basilica to greet the assembled crowd, where the senior cardinal deacon announces, Habemus Papam (Latin for 'we have a Pope').

In anticipation of the upcoming papal election, the College of Cardinals Report has identified 22 cardinals deemed 'papabili,' or likely to be elected as the next Pope. Candidates for this esteemed position are often characterized by their humility, dedication to the Catholic faith, and commitment to promoting goodness. However, the report acknowledges the unpredictability of this process, as historical precedents have shown that the next Pope can emerge from unexpected quarters, as was the case with Francis himself in 2013.

Some of the prominent figures speculated to be in the running for the papacy include:

  • Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, a strong advocate for migrants and known for his interfaith dialogue efforts, though he shows cautiousness toward blessings for same-sex couples.
  • Joseph Tobin, 72, an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and women's roles in the Church, previously clashing with political figures over refugee resettlement.
  • Juan Jose Omella, 79, a close advisor to Pope Francis, noted for his controversial remarks on sexual abuse reports in Spain, despite advocating for victims' healing.
  • Pietro Parolin, 70, the current Secretary of State for the Vatican, recognized for his expertise on global geopolitical issues.
  • Pter Erd, 72, a more conservative choice who has faced criticism for his stance on refugees and same-sex marriage.
  • Peter Turkson, 76, a progressive candidate from Ghana with a history of championing social justice and advocacy for the marginalized.
  • Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, who could become the first Asian Pope and has called for a gentler approach towards same-sex marriage discussions.
  • Mario Grech, 68, the secretary general of the Synod, known for his supportive stance on migrants and advocating for a more inclusive Church.
  • Matteo Maria Zuppi, 69, who has taken up Francis mantle in fostering inclusivity and engaging in diplomacy in conflict zones.

As the world reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church stands on the brink of a new era with the selection of a successor who will undoubtedly shape the future direction of one of the world's oldest religious institutions.