In the wake of Pope Francis' passing, the Vatican has set Wednesday, May 7, 2025, as the start date for the conclave that will elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinals from every corner of the globe will soon converge in Rome, where, under the hallowed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, they will undertake the sacred and historic duty of choosing the Church's 267th pontiff.
The task before them carries immense weight, not just for the Catholic faithful-numbering over 1.3 billion worldwide-but also for a world watching closely amid shifting cultural and spiritual landscapes.
Pope Francis, who shepherded the Church for 12 years with a focus on humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue, leaves behind a legacy that will deeply inform the cardinals' reflections.
