Conclave Begins After Pope Francis's Funeral

Following the funeral of Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years and instituted significant liberal reforms, 133 cardinals from over 70 countries have gathered in Rome to begin the conclave to elect a new pope. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in history, with many electors appointed by Francis from previously underrepresented regions. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, urged unity and spiritual renewal in his homily at the pre-conclave Mass. The election process requires a two-thirds majority (89 votes) and may take longer than usual due to the diversity and unfamiliarity among the cardinals. The Church faces a pivotal choice between continuing Francis's reforms or returning to more conservative traditions, a decision with global significance for 1.4 billion Catholics. The election outcome will be announced with white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney.