College of cardinals to elect pope on May 7
National
By
Anjellah Owino
| Apr 28, 2025
Cardinals attend a mass a day after Pope Francis funeral at St Peter's Square on April 27, 2025 [AFP]
The College of Cardinals will elect a new pope starting Monday, May 7, following the death of Pope Francis, a senior Vatican source confirmed.
The 135 cardinals under the age of 80 will gather at the Sistine Chapel for the conclave. They will cast their votes in secrecy, with the cardinal receiving two-thirds of the vote being announced as the new pope.
White smoke from the chimneys will signal the election of a new pope, while black smoke will indicate that no consensus has been reached.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday from a stroke and heart failure. His funeral took place on Saturday at St Peter's Square, where more than 250,000 people, including global dignitaries and clergy, attended.
The late pope is now laid to rest in a marble tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, with the inscription: 'Franciscus'.
Catholic faithful around the world are observing Novemdiales, a nine-day mourning period, praying for the repose of Pope Francis's soul.