The conclave to elect the next pope will officially begin on May 7, with a two-day delay designed to allow the cardinal electors to become better acquainted before they are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel.
The aim is to foster consensus and encourage open dialogue before the secretive balloting begins.
“There is the hope of unity,” said Argentine Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi, the 66-year-old archbishop of Cordoba who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023.
While many cardinals have expressed support for continuing Pope Francis’ pastoral focus. He centered his service on the marginalized and issues like peace and social justice. More conservative voices are pushing for a return to doctrinal clarity rooted in the teachings of St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
AP News: Glossary of the Conclave
What Is the Conclave?
The conclave is a seretive, closed-door process in which eligible cardinals elect a new pope. The term “conclave” literally means “with a key,” a reference to the tradition that dates back to the 13th century of locking away cardinals until a decision is reached.
