Know the most important places of the Vatican during the 2025 conclave

The conclave begins this May 7, 2025. After the death of Pope Francis, the cardinals of the Catholic Church, that is, those who are under 80 years of age, will meet in the Vatican Sistine Chapel to choose a new Holy Father. On this occasion, the number of voters is 135.

The word “conclave” comes from Latin with the key (with a key, a place that can be closed firmly). In the Italian city of Viterbo during the thirteenth century, after the death of Pope Clemente IV, the cardinals could not choose a new Pope for almost three years due to the political pressures of the moment. Therefore, local authorities, tired of delay, locked them “within narrow limits and thus accelerated the desired election,” explains the Catholic encyclopedia.

After the longest election period in the history of the Catholic Church, Pope Gregory X was chosen, who promulgated a law that established the conclave in its current form to avoid a similar delay.

During the conclaves, the cardinal electors meet in the city of the Vatican for the process from which a new pontiff will arise. These are the most important places in this transcendental time for the entire Church:

1. Santa Marta House

Known in Latin as House of St. Marthait is a residence built in 1996 by order of San Juan Pablo II with a view to the choice of its successor and was designated as a place of official accommodation of the voters. It has 129 rooms: 106 suites, 22 double rooms and an apartment assigned to the Supreme Pontiff. Pope Francis made the Santa Marta house his residence since the beginning of his pontificate.

2. Sistine chapel

Here the cardinals vote behind closed doors. This enclosure takes its name from Pope Sixto IV (1471-1484), who wanted to build a new large atmosphere in the place where the Magna Chapel was erected, a fortified classroom where in the Middle Ages the meetings of the papal court were held. Its construction began in 1475 and opened in 1483.

The chapel is chaired by the final judgment, a fresco by Miguel Ángel Buonarroti between 1536 and 1541, at the request of Pope Paul III.

3. Basilica de San Pedro

The Basilica of San Pedro is located in the place where the Nero Circus was located, specifically on the place of the crucifixion of the prince of the apostles. Over the centuries, the basilica has varied in structure and dimensions. Its current form ended in 1626.

From its central balcony, Cardinal Protodiácon Karol! (We have Pope!) And he will present the chosen one. Then, from there, the new Pontiff will give the blessing The city and the world.

4. Vatican Apostolic Palace

It is the place where by tradition the popes have lived, but Pope Francis explained that he was not “accustomed to living in such large spaces” and therefore asked for a smaller accommodation within the Vatican. The palace is composed, in addition to the papal apartment, by offices, the Vatican museums, the Vatican Library and the Sistine Chapel.

5. San Pedro Square

It is the great square surrounded by the Bernini colonnade, in whose center is the well -known Obelisk of Heliopólis. The Obelisk apex is adorned with a bronze cross that contains a fragment of the true cross. In the Plaza de San Pedro, pilgrims from all over the world gather during the conclave, waiting for the choice of a new Pope.