The Papal Conclave of 2025: A Historic Gathering to Elect the Next Pope

The upcoming papal conclave is set to begin on May 7, 2025, following the passing of Pope Francis. This secretive gathering of 135 cardinal electors will take place in the Sistine Chapel, where they will vote to select the next leader of the Catholic Church. The conclave will follow centuries-old traditions, including the famous white smoke signal that will announce the election of a new pope.

Among the 135 voting cardinals, five are from the Eastern Catholic Churches. These include:

• Louis Raphaël I Sako (Chaldean Church)
• Baselios Cleemis (Syro-Malankara Church)
• Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel (Ethiopian Church)
• Mykola Bychok (Ukrainian Greek Church)
• George Koovakad (Syro-Malabar Church)

This conclave is expected to be one of the most geographically diverse in history, with cardinals from 71 different countries.

May this conclave be guided by wisdom, faith, and unity, and may the Holy Spirit inspire the cardinals in their sacred duty to elect the next pope. Let us pray for their discernment and the future leader of the Church.