When will the 2025 conclave bring a new pope? Here's how long it's taken to see white smoke in the past
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Conclave Begins to Select Pope Francis' Successor
Above: Cardinals attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on May 7, 2025. Image copyright: Dimitar Dilkoff/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Progressive narrative
The unprecedented diversity of cardinal electors represents a historic opportunity to choose a pope who truly reflects the global church's shifting center of gravity toward the Global South. With growing Catholic populations in Africa and Asia contrasting with declining numbers in Europe, the time has come for leadership that can speak authentically to emerging Catholic communities while maintaining universal appeal.
Conservative narrative
The primary consideration must be selecting a pope who can effectively address the church's serious challenges, including financial troubles, abuse scandals, and declining religious participation in the West. The focus should be on proven leadership ability and doctrinal clarity rather than geographic representation, ensuring stable governance and clear Catholic teaching in an increasingly secular world.