Who will be the next Pope? A look at the upcoming conclave

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Vatican expert is committed to the number of days

In a few days, the conclave begins in the Vatican, in which the 133 cardinals will decide on the successor of Pope Francis. From May 7th, the Cardinals' college will meet in the Sistine chapel to choose the new Pope. The question that many concerns is how long this decision will take.

dr. Nino Galetti, a Vatican expert, emphasizes that the choice takes place in a spiritual framework. Current impressions indicate that the conclave is not carried out like parliamentary clashes, but as an act of the common prayer and exchange. In addition to the official elections, there is also a discussion in informal rounds, for example during meals.

expectations for the duration of the conclave

Historically, the elections to the Pope are very different in their duration. The longest conclave took place in 1268 and lasted almost three years. In contrast, the last elections usually only took a few days. As a rule, the elections fluctuate between three and five days.

Galetti expects a relatively short period of time for the upcoming choice and expects a maximum of three days for the conclave. This is also shared by other experts such as Andreas English, who point out that conclavations have usually not lasted longer than a week.

sequence of the conclave

The first ballot takes place after the conclave of the afternoon of May 7th. After that, there are regular electoral tours, the result of which is announced by the famous smoke that rises from the fireplaces. White smoke signals the choice of a new Pope, while black smoke shows that no decision has been made yet.

If the elections are drawn in length, rest days can also be inserted until a possible runoff election between the leading candidates is necessary. These complex processes and the spiritual dimension of the conclave show the importance of the selection process in the context of the Catholic Church.