Who will be the next pope? Conclave 2025

Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo of Ajaccio, France, is surrounded by members of the media as he approaches the Petriano entrance next to St. Peter’s Square to attend a general congregation meeting in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican April 25, 2025. (CNS/Lola Gomez)

When the world's Catholic cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pontiff, eight out of ten will share one primary thing in common: They were all elevated to their rank by Pope Francis. As they gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, the cardinals now face a stark choice: to continue along the path of reform as the trailblazing Francis — of opening the church up to the modern world and making its structures more inclusive — or to initiate a course correction. 

Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo of Ajaccio, France, is surrounded by members of the media as he approaches the Petriano entrance next to St. Peter’s Square to attend a general congregation meeting in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican April 25, 2025. (CNS/Lola Gomez)
Vatican News

Convicted Cardinal Becciu's presence in conclave is open question

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

Whether Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who relinquished the rights associated with being a cardinal after he was forced to resign in 2020, will be able to enter the conclave to elect a new pope is an ongoing question.

woman with rosary
Guest Voices

Will a new pope make any difference for women?

By Phyllis Zagano, Religion News Service

Francis' 12-year reign saw small steps advancing women in the church. We may not know for years what the aims of a new papacy will be.

Cardinals from around the world line up in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel March 12, 2013, to take their oaths at the beginning of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI. The following day, on the fifth ballot, they elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who chose the name Francis. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Who will be the next pope? Inside the race to succeed Francis

By Christopher White

As the world's Catholic cardinals gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, they face a stark choice: to continue along Pope Francis' path of reform, or to initiate a course correction. 

Cardinals gather in the Vatican's synod hall April 7, 2005, a day before the funeral of Pope John Paul II. (CNS/L'Osservatore Romano)

What happens after a pope dies and before a new pope is elected

By Michael Sean Winters, Christopher White

In the next few weeks, the cardinals of the Catholic Church will gather in Rome to bury him and turn their minds and hearts to the selection of a successor. We do not know who will be selected in the conclave. But we do have a good idea of what will happen, and when, during this interregnum.

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