Cardinal Sir John Ribat pays tribute to the late Pope Francis. Photo: Archdiocese of Suva
Papua New Guinea's Catholic Church cardinal says he will have his region's interests in mind when he votes for the new pope.
The Vatican has announced the eligible cardinals to vote for the replacement for the late Pope Francis will meet starting on 7 May inside the Sistine Chapel, in the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence in Vatican City.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote, although they can take part in the conclave. There are currently 252 cardinals, 138 of whom are cardinal electors.
Two of these are from Pacific islands - Archbishop of Port Moresby, Cardinal Sir John Ribat representing the PNG and Solomon Islands Bishop Conference, and Cardinal Soane Mafi, Bishop of Tonga and Niue.
Cardinal Sir John Ribat told the Post-Courier newspaper his vote will be for the interest of Catholics in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
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The previous two conclaves, held in 2005 and 2013, each lasted two days.
But Swedish cardinal Anders Arborelius said the coming ballot may take longer, as many of the cardinals appointed by Pope Francis have never met each other.
New Zealand's cardinal, John Dew, said the next pope would need to be a leader in terms of faith and living the gospel himself, and someone who encouraged others to live the gospel.
"It's a bit daunting to think I'll be going into the conclave to be part of the process of electing a new pope, but I also know that I and everybody else is really supported by the prayers from all around the world, so that's very much appreciated."
The word conclave comes from the Latin, cum clave, meaning 'with a key'.
The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and vote by secret ballot until a candidate is selected. A two-thirds majority vote is required. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth ballot.
One ballot is held on the first day of the conclave and four on each subsequent day - two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
Immediately after the count, the ballots and all related notes are burned in a stove in the chapel.
The coffin of Pope Francis is seen in front of the Colosseum as it is transported from St Peter's Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, after a funeral mass in Rome on 26 April, 2025. Photo: AFP/ Stefano Rellandini
The colour of the smoke from a chimney enables the crowd in St Peter's Square to know if a result has been confirmed or not.
When no one has received the required majority the smoke is black. A successful candidate gets white smoke.
The bells of St Peter's Basilica will also peal when a new pope is elected.
The man elected by his fellow cardinals is asked, does he accept the position. If he does, then a senior cardinal will appear on the balcony overlooking the square and says to the crowd, "Habemus papam" - 'we have a pope'.
Soon after that the new pope appears and blesses the crowd, and an inauguration ceremony usually takes place a few days later.
