Timeline of Recent Papal Transitions

by CNS · April 23, 2025

Cardinals from around the world line up in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel March 12, 2013, to take their oaths at the beginning of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI. The following day, on the fifth ballot, they elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who chose the name Francis. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

By CNS – After the deaths or resignations of their predecessors, the last six popes have been elected within a fairly short period of time – between two and three weeks.

— St. John XXIII died June 3, 1963, and his funeral was held June 6. The conclave to choose his successor began June 19 and lasted two days. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, who took the name Paul VI, was elected June 21. He was installed June 30.

— St. Paul VI died Aug. 6, 1978, and his funeral was held Aug. 12. The conclave to choose his successor began Aug. 25. A day later, Aug. 26, the cardinals elected Cardinal Albino Luciani, who chose the name John Paul I. He was installed Sept. 3.

— Blessed John Paul I died less than a month later, on Sept. 28, 1978, and his funeral was held Oct. 4. The conclave to choose his successor began Oct. 15 and Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected on the second day of voting, Oct. 16. Pope John Paul II was installed Oct. 22.

— St. John Paul II died April 2, 2005, and his funeral was celebrated April 8. Under the leadership of its dean, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the College of Cardinals entered the conclave April 18 and elected the dean as pope the next day. He took the name Pope Benedict XVI and inaugurated his pontificate April 24.

— Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11, 2013, that he was resigning effective Feb. 28. Most of the world’s cardinals gathered in Rome in time to thank him for his service and almost immediately began their pre-conclave meetings. The electors solemnly entered the Sistine Chapel and began the conclave March 12. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected March 13 on the fifth ballot and took the name Pope Francis. He inaugurated his papacy March 19.

Pope Benedict died Dec. 31, 2022, and Pope Francis presided at his funeral Jan. 5, 2023.

— Pope Francis died April 21, and his funeral was scheduled for April 26. A date for the conclave had not been announced as of April 22, but is expected to take place between 6-11 May 2025.