Vatican completes preparations for the conclave: all cardinals are already in Rome.

The preparations for the conclave in the Vatican are in full swing. All 133 cardinals have already arrived in Rome, getting ready for the election of a new Pope, which will take place during the historic event of the conclave. Meetings and discussions have been successful, during which the cardinals indicated the criteria that are important to them for the new head of the Catholic Church.

More light on the future: wishes for the future Pope

The cardinals emphasized the importance of the future Pope being compassionate to the faithful and capable of uniting the community around Christ during global hardships. During the meeting, various issues were discussed, including vocation, family upbringing, passing on faith to future generations, ecology, as well as wars and divisions in the modern world.

Final preparations for the conclave

In the "Saint Martha's House," a drawing has already been conducted for the seating arrangement of the cardinals, who will also be accommodated in a nearby hotel complex. The Sistine Chapel, where the voting will take place, is ready to receive the cardinals. During the conclave, all participants received booklets with biographies of the candidates.

Expectations for the conclave

The Vatican has officially confirmed that the conclave will begin on May 7, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel. Smoke from the chimney will indicate the results of the voting: black will mean that no decision has been made, while white will indicate that a new Pope has been elected. Traditionally, thousands of worshippers will gather in St. Peter's Square to observe the ritual from the roof of the chapel.

This event is taking place after the farewell ceremony for the late Pope Francis, which was held in a solemn atmosphere before international delegations and representatives from Ukraine, the USA, and France. The funeral of Pope Francis will take place in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore according to his own wishes.