A historic moment unfolds today May 7, 2025 as 133 cardinals from around the world enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the solemn and secretive process of electing a new pope, the successor to Pope Francis.
The conclave will be officiated by the Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, who will not be able to participate in the election due to his advanced age. He is 91 years old.
This conclave marks a number of significant milestones in the history of the Catholic Church.
Not only is it the largest conclave in recent history, but it is also the most geographically diverse. Cardinals from 72 countries are participating in the vote a striking testament to the global reach of Catholicism in the 21st century. While Europe still commands the largest share of cardinal electors, for the first time, a significant number hail from Africa and Asia.
Africa, in particular, has seen rapid growth in Catholic membership over recent decades, and this is mirrored in the rising number of African cardinals with voting rights. Asia, home to large Catholic populations in countries such as the Philippines, India, and Vietnam, is also strongly represented. Latin America, a region closely associated with Pope Francis himself, maintains a strong presence as well.
The countries with the most electors are: Italy with 17 cardinals, the United States has 10, Brazil 7 cardinals, France and Spain 5 each, Argentina, Canada, India, Poland and Portugal 4 each.
According to Vatican statistics the regional breakdown of the 135 cardinal electors is as follows -Oceania: 4 (1 each from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga), Europe: 53, Asia (including the Middle East): 23, Africa: 18, South America: 17, North America: 16 (of whom 10 are American, 4 are Canadian and 2 are Mexican) and Central America: 4.
After the cardinals take their oath of secrecy, they will cast ballots up to four times per day in repeated rounds of voting until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority.
Meaning, the number of electors is133, the winner must secure 89 votes.
