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Conclave 2025: first smoke on 7 May, starting at 4.30pm in the Sistine Chapel

In the morning the Mass ‘pro eligendo Papa’, then the oath of the 133 cardinal electors. The quorum remains fixed at 89 votes

Countdown to the start of the Conclave that will lead to the election of the new Pontiff. Work will officially begin at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, with the first vote in the Sistine Chapel.

The day will open at 10am with the celebration of the Mass ‘pro eligendo Papa’ in St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re. In the afternoon, the 133 cardinal electors will gather in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace for the procession to the Sistine Chapel.

After the oath of secrecy on what will take place in the Conclave, pronounced by each cardinal, the maestro of papal celebrations, Monsignor Diego Ravelli, will pronounce the ‘Extra omnes’, excluding all outsiders and formally starting the Conclave. This will be followed by a meditation by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, commissioned by the College of Cardinals.

The Conclave will be presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, while Camerlengo Kevin Farrell will oversee the procedures, assisted by three cardinals drawn by lot.

The voting procedures
Each voter will receive two to three ballots, to be filled in with the name of the candidate. The Latin formula on the ballot will be: ‘Eligo in Summum Pontificem’. Before inserting the ballot into the ballot box, each cardinal will pronounce a solemn oath.

The ballot will take place immediately after the number of ballots has been checked. The person who obtains at least 89 votes, equal to two thirds of the total, will be elected Pope. Otherwise, the ballots will be burnt: black smoke will signal the absence of an outcome.

Only one ballot is expected on 7 May. From the following day, four daily ballots will be held: two in the morning, two in the afternoon. After 12 unsuccessful ballots, the Conclave will stop for a day of prayer and reflection. The cycle may be repeated up to a maximum of 34 ballots: at that point only the two most voted cardinals will be voted out, but 89 votes will still be needed to elect the new Pontiff.

The election and the ‘Habemus Papam
Once the quorum has been reached, the elected will be asked if he accepts the election and by what name he intends to be called. After the white smoke, the new Pontiff will don the white robe in the so-called ‘Room of Tears’, before receiving the homage of the cardinals. The Cardinal Protodeacon will then appear from St. Peter’s Loggia for the ‘Habemus Papam’ announcement, followed by the first Urbi et Orbi blessing of the new Pope.

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