The conclave starts on Wednesday: when can we expect white smoke?

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Meanwhile, the Vatican is working on his succession. The conclave for the election of the new pope will start on Wednesday, 7 May. The world watches in anticipation.

Who will succeed Pope Francis as the leader of the Catholic Church?

Specifically, 133 cardinals will gather from Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel to elect, in the utmost secrecy, the successor of Pope Francis. All 135 cardinals who were under 80 years old at the time of Francis' death are eligible to participate in the papal election. Of those 135, 107 were appointed by Francis. However, two cardinals will not attend the conclave due to health issues. Among the 133 eligible cardinals, there are 17 Italians, 10 Americans, 7 Brazilians, 5 French and 4 cardinals each from Spain, Canada, India, and Argentina. During the conclave, cardinals are strictly forbidden from contacting the outside world. A candidate must secure the backing of two-thirds of his colleagues to be elected. Voting can occur up to four times a day. And from then, it is a waiting game for white smoke...

The ballots are incinerated after each vote, and after the election, a chemical substance is added to turn the smoke white, signalling to the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square that a pope has been chosen. We will then see the white smoke and shortly after hear the famous "Habemus papam".

(FVDV - Source: Ansa/HLN/Nieuwsblad - Illustration: ©Unsplash)