Today the Conclave begins: the church prepares to elect the new Pope

Today, May 7th 2025, marks the start of one of the most solemn and mysterious events of the Catholic Church: the Conclave to elect the new Pontiff. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVII, announced last March for health reasons, the 117 cardinal electors will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose the 267th successor of Saint Peter. The world’s eyes are on the Vatican, waiting to see who will lead the Church in the coming years, amid global challenges, social crises, and internal tensions.

The leading candidates: who could become Pope

Discussions within the Vatican and analyses by experts have highlighted a few names as potential frontrunners. Among them is Cardinal Pietro Martinez, 68, Archbishop of Madrid, known for his progressive stance on social issues such as welcoming migrants and fighting poverty. Seen as close to Latin American movements, he could represent a more open, outward-looking Church attentive to the marginalized.

Another strong contender is Cardinal Joseph Okoye, 61, Archbishop of Lagos, a charismatic figure who enjoys broad support in developing countries. His election would mark the first-ever African Pope, a powerful sign of a truly global Church rooted in the Global South, where Catholicism continues to grow.

Not to be overlooked is Cardinal Angelo Conti, 73, Dean of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, backed by more traditional circles…