Pope Francis Dies: Cardinals Begin Search for New Pontiff as Conclave Looms

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Poope Francis has died at the age of 88, triggering the Vatican’s traditional mourning period and the start of the process to elect a new Pope through a secretive conclave.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 will vote in the conclave, with 120 electors from over 70 countries, including 18 Africans.

The death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 has officially triggered the Vatican’s long-established papal transition process.

Following a 15-day mourning period steeped in centuries-old tradition, a conclave will be convened where eligible cardinals from across the globe will gather in Rome to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 are permitted to vote in the conclave, meaning about 120 of the more than 220 cardinals worldwide will cast ballots.

Notably, 18 of the electors are Africans, and approximately two-thirds of the total electors were appointed by Pope Francis during his 12-year papacy — a reflection of his inclusive and reform-driven vision for the church.

According to Vatican rules, the conclave will take place inside the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will be cut off from the outside world during voting.

“They will take an oath of absolute secrecy. Phones will be surrendered, and the chapel will be swept for listening devices,” a Vatican official confirmed. Once inside, the cardinals will deliberate until a two-thirds majority settles on a new Pontiff.

The list of potential successors includes a wide spectrum of ideological leanings. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Italy’s Secretary of State, is viewed as a moderate and continuity candidate.

Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, once seen as Francis’s favourite, is a progressive voice from Asia. Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, Ghana, could become the first Black pope in modern history, known for championing social justice and climate concerns. Other names being floated include Matteo Zuppi, Robert Sarah, José Tolentino Mendonça, and Péter Erdő.

The conclave’s outcome remains uncertain, with past elections often surprising even the most seasoned Vatican watchers. “During the 2013 conclave, few anticipated Jorge Mario Bergoglio would emerge as Pope Francis,” noted a senior Vatican correspondent.