Conclave For Pope Francis' Successor Kick-Starts With 133 Cardinals

Cardinals are locking themselves away to kick off the centuries-old conclave and begin choosing Pope Francis' successor.

In an unexpected twist, some cardinals are reportedly looking to the 2024 film "Conclave" for a crash course on the centuries-old tradition. They are reportedly using the movie as a guide to navigate the secretive proceedings.

This historic gathering officially began on May 7, just over two weeks after the death of Pope Francis at age 88. 

The Vatican officially entered conclave mode on Wednesday, sealing off the Sistine Chapel as 133 eligible cardinals began the process of selecting the next Pope.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote, even though the total College of Cardinals is larger. Of the 133 eligible to cast a ballot, 108 were appointed by the late Pope Francis himself.

While papal elections in the past have occasionally dragged on, some for months or even years, recent conclaves have typically wrapped up within a few days. And many inside the Vatican believe this round will be no different.

PEOPLE reports that Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez, who is attending the pre-conclave discussions but cannot vote, shares that the cardinals seem aligned on what kind of leader the church needs now. 

The 82-year-old explains, "The vision is very clear [for] what kind of Pope we need in the church and for the world. That is why I think the conclave will be very short, two or three days."

While the voting process for the next Pope is kept entirely under wraps, the public will know the outcome the moment white smoke rises from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. On the other hand, black smoke means the cardinals are still deliberating.

Following Pope Francis' death, the focus quickly shifted to who might take his place. Within hours, reports surfaced naming several frontrunners, including Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, Italy's Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Guinea's Cardinal Robert Sarah, and Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline from France.

Some believe the next Pope might continue Francis' progressive vision for the Catholic Church, but experts caution against assuming too much. 

Catholic scholar Bill Cavanaugh noted the uncertainty surrounding the outcome. "There's a lot of speculation. Will it be back to another European pope, or will it be another pope from the 'Global South,' from Asia, from Africa? We just don't know," he stated.

As Catholic cardinals from around the world gather in Rome to select a new pope, some have turned to an unexpected source for guidance: a movie. A cleric in the conclave admitted to POLITICO that the 2024 film "Conclave" has become an unofficial training manual for the highly secretive papal election process. 

"Some have watched it in the cinema," they revealed. This is especially notable because some of the voting cardinals are experiencing their first conclave. For many, the inner workings of Vatican politics are unfamiliar territory, making the film a useful, if unconventional, crash course.

Edward Berger directed the film, and stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the dean tasked with keeping order during a chaotic and politically charged papal selection. 

ICYMI, the late Pope passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, and just hours later, the Vatican confirmed his cause of death, a stroke and irreversible heart failure.

The Blast reported that Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli stated that Francis had slipped into a coma before dying early Monday morning at the Vatican City.

His passing was a shock, especially after he appeared in public the day before, briefly meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Easter Sunday.

By his final wishes, the Vatican revealed that the late Pope asked for a modest burial at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. His tomb would bear no design, just the name "Franciscus" carved into the stone. 

The Vatican confirmed the death of the Pope in a solemn public announcement delivered by Cardinal Farrell. The Cardinal addressed the world, stating, "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis."

He shared that the Pope passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time, describing it as the moment  "the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father."

Farrell spoke of the Pope's lifelong dedication to his faith and praised him for prioritizing the "poorest and most marginalized." The Cardinal closed the statement by calling Francis "a true disciple of the Lord Jesus." 

Until that white smoke appears, all eyes remain on the chimney for confirmation of Pope Francis' successor!