New Pope: Conclave will start on May 7

VATICAN CITY: The conclave to elect the successor of the late Pope Francis will begin on May 7 at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The decision was made during a meeting of the cardinals held yesterday at the Vatican.

Only the 135 cardinals of the College of Cardinals who are under the age of 80 have the right to vote in the conclave. The election process will continue until one of the papal candidates secures a two-thirds majority.

Since the proceedings are secret, the outside world will know the outcome based on the colour of the smoke emerging from the chapel’s chimney: black smoke means no pope has been elected yet, while white smoke signifies that a new pope has been chosen.