• The College of Cardinals is more globally representative due to Pope Francis' appointments, reflecting the growth of Catholicism in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• The Vatican implemented strict security measures, including a mobile phone signal blackout and signal jammers, to ensure the secrecy of the conclave.
• Cardinals are increasingly using social media to connect with the public, share updates, and request prayers, although this carries risks of inadvertently leaking sensitive information or facing negative feedback.

Following the death of Pope Francis, 133 cardinal electors are convening in the Vatican to elect the next Pope. This conclave reflects a shift in the global demographics of the Roman Catholic Church, with a greater representation of cardinals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, a change influenced by Pope Francis' appointments. To maintain the secrecy of the election process, the Vatican is implementing strict security measures, including deactivating mobile phone signals and using signal jammers. Simultaneously, many cardinals are using social media to connect with the public, share their experiences, and request prayers, a notable change from previous conclaves.

• What: Election of the next Pope following the death of Pope Francis, involving a conclave of 133 cardinal electors.
• Who: Key individuals include Cardinal electors, potential candidates such as Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Matteo Maria Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Peter Erdo, and Pope Francis (deceased).
• When: Conclave began on May 7, 2025. Mobile phone signals were cut off on Wednesday at 3 p.m. local time.
• Where: Vatican City, specifically the Sistine Chapel.

The election of the next Pope is a significant event with implications for the future direction of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis' efforts to globalize the College of Cardinals reflect the changing demographics of the Church and could influence the selection of a pontiff from outside of Europe. The strict security measures underscore the importance of maintaining secrecy during the conclave. The use of social media by cardinals represents a new dynamic, allowing for greater transparency but also posing potential risks. The betting market activity, while not as reliable as in political elections, provides an interesting, albeit speculative, view on potential frontrunners.

Every time he appointed new cardinals, I had to run to my bookshelf and get the atlas to find out where most of these nations were, from where my new brother cardinals were coming from. He didn’t want any language, any racial background, any geographic area to be unrepresented in the life of the church. This is a legacy that’s phenomenal.

pray that we will choose the right candidate to be the successor of St. Peter to lead the Church in this complex world.

The election of the next Pope signifies a critical juncture for the Catholic Church, navigating a complex interplay of tradition and modernity amidst evolving global challenges. The conclave, influenced by Pope Francis's focus on inclusivity and social justice, must address pressing issues such as the role of women, LGBTQ+ outreach, and the clergy sexual abuse crisis, while also contending with secularization, financial instability, and internal divisions between progressives and traditionalists. The new pontiff will determine whether the Church continues on a path of reform and openness or reverts to a more conservative, doctrinal approach. This decision will shape the Church's ability to remain relevant and unified in an increasingly complex world, balancing the legacy of compassion with the need for decisive action on urgent matters.