The conclave to elect his successor will take place starting May 7, 2024, in the ancient and ornate Sistine Chapel. With the recent resignation of pope Francis, a new era has begun for the Catholic Church. Today, 135 cardinals are gearing up to cast their votes for his successor, a moment of world-historical importance.
The conclave will take place in a secure bubble. The cardinals are to be sequestered, confined only to moving between the chapel and their accommodations at Casa Santa Marta. This structured practice helps maintain the reverence, decorum, and confidentiality of the voting process, a deep-rooted Congress tradition. As German cardinal Reinhard Marx reminds us, the next conclave will probably last “only a few days.” This timeline reveals the high degree of urgency and clear purpose on the part of the electors.
Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti expressed optimism regarding the duration of the conclave, suggesting that it could conclude quickly. He emphasized the importance of this gathering, stating, “I really think that the conclave can offer a beautiful testimony in this world full of war, division and rancour.” As a member of the Global Church, this sentiment rings especially true in the wake of recent global tensions and strife within and around the church.
Those 135 cardinals eligible to vote span 17 different countries, a powerful reminder of the universal and growing global nature of the Catholic community. Pope Francis appointed 80% of these voting cardinals. He underscores his interest in being inclusive by selecting people from areas of the country that haven’t had a voice on the commission until now. Of those, 20 cardinals had only been raised to the purple themselves in December 2023.
As preparations continue, the Sistine Chapel has been closed to tourists, as is customary each time a new pope must be elected. This public closure creates an atmosphere of prayer and reflection, essential elements of this Sacred Event. Until recently, many of the participating cardinals had not met each other, making this conclave an opportunity for them to “get to know each other and suss each other out,” as noted by Anselmo Guido Pecorari.
“We spoke to each other like neighbours.” – Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti
Unsurprisingly, Italy will use a secret ballot election process that has been a hallmark of papal conclaves for centuries. The cardinals will meet in conclave to discuss and vote until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority, at which point he will be declared pope. This method underscores the weighty responsibility held by the electors as they seek a leader who can guide the church through its current challenges.
Despite the challenges posed by having such a large group of electors who may not be familiar with one another, Cardinal Bassetti acknowledged that “certainly, there may be some difficulty because there have never been so many electors and not everyone knows each other.” He expressed confidence in their ability to unite around this universally crucial cause.
Even as preparations continue, conversations among the cardinals have already started to influence and shape their thinking on possible candidates. The mood is friendly and cooperative. This welcoming atmosphere goes a long way toward diffusing the natural friction that comes from such different backgrounds and experiences.
“There was a beautiful, fraternal atmosphere.” – Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti
The soon-to-be-hold conclave represents a new phase in leadership. It is an opportunity to look back and think deeply about the challenges the church is facing today. This conclave represents a broad, inclusive spectrum of voices and forefronts that notion of unity. The Synod’s potential to open up a new way forward for the Catholic Church in our fast-changing and complicated world.