The Vatican has announced that the Cardinal electors will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave to elect the next pope on May 7, 2025.
They will first celebrate the “Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff” in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning and proceed in a solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel. Each Cardinal elector will take an oath of secrecy and commit, if elected, to faithfully fulfill the Petrine Ministry as Pastor of the Universal Church.
There are currently 135 cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope, but at least two of them will not be present due to personal reasons. To validly elect a new Pope, a two-thirds majority of the electors present is required. If voting begins on the afternoon of the first day, there will be only one ballot; on subsequent days, two ballots will be held in the morning and two in the afternoon. Once the votes are counted, all ballots are burned. If the ballot was inconclusive, the chimney positioned over the Sistine Chapel emits black smoke; when the Pope is finally elected, white smoke will rise, and bells will toll.
A more detailed explanation can be found in this article by Vatican News.
On Monday, Rep. Colin Wellenkamp (R – St. Charles) gave a remembrance on the House floor in recognition of Pope Francis.