Cardinal David ‘signs off’ for papal conclave

CHURCH LEADERS. Three Filipino cardinals, Luis Antonio Tagle (from left), Pablo Virgilio David, and Jose Advincula Jr., attend the Feast Day of Collegio Filipino in Pontificio Collegio in Rome on May 4, 2025. The three will participate in the conclave that will start on Wednesday (May 7) for the selection of the next pope following the April 21 death of Pope Francis. (Photo courtesy of Alona Cochon/PNA)

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed readiness to attend the papal conclave that is set to begin on May 7.

In a post on Facebook on Monday night, CBCP President Cardinal Pablo David said he is “signing off” starting Tuesday night for the gathering meant to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Francis who died on April 21.

“We are surrendering all our communications gadgets to fully dispose ourselves spiritually for the task of identifying the new Pope, who will lead the universal Church,” David said.

David said he and the other cardinals will be checking in at the Casa Santa Marta starting Tuesday for their lodging during the conclave.

The conclave, expected to be attended by 133 cardinal electors, will be held at the Sistine Chapel, which will remain sealed off until the election of a new pontiff.

As part of the process, if the voting is inconclusive, a chimney positioned over the Sistine Chapel will emit black smoke, while white smoke will billow if a pope is elected.

“How long before the white smoke comes out? That will be up to the Lord,” David said, as he expressed gratitude to the faithful for heeding their calls for prayers for the forthcoming conclave.

Two-thirds majority of the electors present is required to elect the successor of a new pope.