The Pope, in addition to being the bishop of Rome and the sovereign of the state of the Vatican Cityis considered by Catholic Christianity as the successor of the apostle Peter, so it is also the vicar of Christ, the head of the Episcopal College and the pastor of the “universal church on earth”, according to the Holy See In Italy.
Given this situation, after the death of Pope Francis During the early morning on Monday, April 21, the Catholic Church must carry out the conclavea long tradition ritual that is regulated to the slightest detail by the Vatican, where dozens of cardinals around the world are responsible for choosing the new pontiff.
The 2025 conclave will definitely be an event of great importance worldwide, both for believers and for those who are not Catholics, taking into account that the high pontiff It occupies a position of international relevance and a great weight position in various aspects social, diplomats and even politicians.
At present, there are 123 cardinals worldwide who have the possibility of participating in this secret vote, since only those who are under 80 can choose the new Holy Father, so the Cardinals what they have more than eight decades They will not be able to cast their vote for the successor of San Pedro in the Vatican.
When will the choice of the next Pope be?
According to the authorities in the city of the Vatican, the conclave must be carried out at least, 15 days later of the death of the pontiff, or no later 20 days later of his death. Given the circumstances, the election of the next Holy Father is expected to be between Tuesday 6 and Saturday, May 10 of 2025.
In 2013, when Pope Francis was chosen Supreme Pontiff over 12 years, The conclave began on Tuesday, March 12 at 5:40 p.m. from Rome, Italy. However, after the fifth vote, at 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, the members of the Cardinal College elected the Argentine as the Holy Father number 266.
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Taking into consideration the closest registration, votes to choose the new Pope take an approximated from 26 hoursalthough everything depends on the cardinals present in the Vatican, who must agree with the final decision, because a pontiff traditionally maintains said position for more than a decade.
Pope Francis was in charge of the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025, for 12 years and 39 days, the BENEDICT XVI PAPA It was from 2005 to 2013 for seven years and 315 days, the Pope San Juan Pablo II He was the sovereign of Rome from 1978 to 2005 for 26 years and 168 days; and the Papa San Pablo VI He was from 1963 to 1978 for 15 years and 46 days.
Although in March 2013 the conclave lasted less than two days, the choice of the new Pontiff can last several weeksbecause during the first day there is only one electoral round. Subsequently, there are four per day, and if the election is prolonged more than three days, various reflection pauses.
At present, it is worth mentioning that they do not exist candidates fixed, since each cardinal must write on a ballot the name of the person who should be chosen “according to the will of God.” The latest records show that favorite Votation is outlined after voting, until the time comes to announce it to the world.