Cardinals Set Date for Conclave to Elect Pope

Following the death of Pope Francis, cardinals from around the world have gathered in Rome and are expected to set a date for the conclave to elect his successor, likely between May 5 and May 11. The nine-day mourning period has allowed time for cardinals to arrive and participate in general congregations, which are particularly important this year since many voting cardinals were appointed by Francis and hail from regions outside Europe, making this conclave notably unpredictable. Front-runners include Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, and Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson, though no clear favorite has emerged. The Sistine Chapel has been closed to tourists as preparations begin for the secretive election process, including the installation of the iconic chimney that will signal the selection of a new pope. The conclave's outcome will influence whether the Church continues Francis's focus on social issues or shifts toward more conservative positions. The global Catholic community and observers await the decision that will shape the future direction of the Church.