This week, as the College of Cardinals gathers at the Vatican to elect the next Successor of St. Peter, we invite you to join us in prayerful solidarity with Catholics around the world as we ask the Lord to faithfully guide this sacred process and bless the coming papacy.
Learn more about the conclave and join with the National Shrine in prayer during this significant time in church history.
About the Conclave
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the cardinals of the world have been summoned to Rome so that the College of Cardinals can perform its most solemn task, the election of a new Pope (also known as a conclave). While there are currently 252 cardinals serving in the Church, only those under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in a conclave. As such, 133 cardinals will be participating in the next conclave, set to begin on May 7, 2025.
On Wednesday, May 7, the cardinals will gather for Mass in the morning, celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Afterwards, they’ll proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave will be held. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the cardinal-bishop with the most seniority participating in the conclave, will preside over the election. Upon entering the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals call upon the Holy Spirit to guide them by singing “Veni, Creator Spiritus.” Then each cardinal takes an oath of secrecy regarding the proceedings. Once all the cardinals have sworn the oath, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations announces “extra omnes,” meaning “everyone out,” after which the doors are closed, and the election of Pope begins.
During the conclave, one of the cardinals must receive a two-thirds majority of the vote in order to be elected Pope. The ballots are cast in secret, and after each round of voting, they are burned in a special stove that allows the smoke to rise above the Sistine Chapel, where it can be seen by the thousands gathered in the nearby St. Peter’s Square. Black smoke indicates that a candidate has not yet reached the two-thirds threshold required to become Pope, while white smoke indicates that a candidate has been elected. Once a cardinal obtains the required 89 out of 133 votes, he is asked if he accepts the election, and if he does, what name he wishes to be called as Pope. Then, white smoke billows out of the chimney and the world awaits to hear the words proclaimed from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Habemus Papam,” meaning: “We have a Pope.” The new Pope is then introduced to the world on the balcony, and imparts the Urbi et Orbi blessing on the faithful.
Prayer for the Election of a New Pope
“O God, eternal shepherd, who governs your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”*
Our Father
“Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.”
Hail Mary
“Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.”
Glory Be
“Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning
is now, and ever shall be
world without end.
Amen.”
*Excerpt from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission from publisher.
Light a Candle for the Conclave
As the College of Cardinals gathers in solemn conclave to elect the next Pope, we invite you to light a candle here at the National Shrine. By lighting a candle, you offer a visible sign of your prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide this sacred process. Let this flame symbolize your hope, your faith, and your unity with our Church in this historic moment.