VATICAN CITY — In an unprecedented gathering, 133 cardinal electors from 70 countries across five continents will begin moving into Vatican accommodations Tuesday ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope—marking the largest and most geographically diverse papal election in Church history.
The historic vote, set to begin Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel following the April 21 death of Pope Francis, could span hours, days, or—in an extreme scenario—months. The longest recorded conclave lasted nearly three years from 1268 to 1271.
With the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse unable to accommodate all participants, some cardinals will stay at the adjacent Santa Marta Vecchia, typically reserved for Vatican officials. Room assignments will be determined by lottery.
A Conclave of Firsts
This election follows the reformist 12-year papacy of Francis, who appointed roughly 80% of the voting cardinals. While speculation swirls about potential successors, insiders suggest no clear frontrunner has emerged.
Franco-Algerian Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco described the preparatory meetings as crucial for unifying a diverse group of electors. “We’ve come from so many countries, many of us had never met before. Finally, we have got to know each other,” he told reporters.
“There are at least five or six contenders,” Vesco added. “There were the so-called ‘natural’ candidates… And there are those who speak and make you think ‘that is strong.’ But there is no-one who ‘trounces’ the others. Yet it will happen.”
Secrecy and Tradition
The Vatican will enforce strict silence, cutting phone signals within its walls starting Wednesday afternoon until a new pope is chosen. Cardinals must surrender all electronic devices before voting begins, with progress communicated via smoke signals—black for indecision, white for a successful election.
Support staff, including medics, cooks, and cleaners, swore oaths of secrecy Monday, barred from disclosing conclave proceedings under threat of excommunication.
As the Catholic world awaits its next leader, the question remains: Will the new pope continue Francis’s progressive reforms or steer the Church toward tradition?
