World Cardinals begin conclave to elect new pope following the death of Pope Francis A file photo of Cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel before the conclave in March 2013. (Photo: Vatican News) A total of 133 cardinals under the age of 80 convened in the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025, to begin the conclave for electing the 267th pope. The gathering follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at age 88. The cardinals, representing 71 countries, took oaths of secrecy before […] today7 May, 2025 28