Pope Francis' Death Sparks Global Interest in Papal Conclave

The death of Pope Francis has led to a global outpouring of grief and a surge of interest in the centuries-old conclave process to elect his successor. The secretive ritual, steeped in tradition and conducted in the Sistine Chapel, is designed to prevent outside interference and requires a two-thirds majority vote among cardinals to select the new pope. Historically, the outcome of a conclave is highly unpredictable, with frontrunners often being bypassed in favor of less expected candidates. As the Church prepares for this transition, speculation and conspiracy theories have emerged, including allegations of covert efforts by ultra-conservative groups to undermine Francis due to his progressive reforms. The legacy of Pope Francis, marked by his advocacy for social justice and controversial stances on issues like climate change and LGBTQ+ inclusion, is expected to shape the direction of the next papacy. Thousands have gathered at the Vatican to pay their respects, underscoring the significance of this moment for the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion followers.