Catholic cardinals will begin the conclave to elect a new pope on May 7, following Pope Francis’s death on April 21 at age 88.
The 135 eligible cardinals under age 80 will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose a successor for the 1.4 billion-strong global Catholic Church.
While potential frontrunners include Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Peter Turkson, many believe the outcome remains unpredictable due to the diversity and unfamiliarity among voters.
Church leaders hope to elect someone who can foster unity amid growing polarization within the Church.
Observers note a spirit of fraternity among the cardinals, though experts expect the process may not be swift.
Source: PhilNews24 | April 29, 2025
