The Vatican Conclave Cardinals Pope Francis holds one of the greatest potential to shift the trajectory of the world. Whether you are a Catholic or not, you need to keep a close look at what is happening in the Sistine Chapel. Whoever will emerge as the next pope will surely affect the geopolitical climate of the world!
On May 8, 2025, black smoke once again curled into the sky above the Sistine Chapel.
Thousands stood in breathless silence at St. Peter’s Square—watching, praying, waiting. But the signal was clear: No new pope yet. The Vatican conclave cardinals have voted, but they haven’t reached the two-thirds majority needed to name a successor to Pope Francis.
If you’re not Catholic, you might think, “What’s this got to do with me?”
The answer: more than you think.
Because what happens inside that ancient chapel—sealed off in prayer, tradition, and secrecy—doesn’t just impact 1.3 billion Catholics. It sends ripples across the entire Christian world. Across governments. Across families. Across generations.
So let’s step back and understand what’s really going on—and why it matters to every believer today.
What Is the Vatican Conclave Cardinals Pope Francis and Why Does It Matter?
The word “conclave” comes from the Latin “cum clave,” meaning “with a key.” That’s because the cardinals are literally locked in—sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel with no contact with the outside world—until a new pope is chosen.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. This year, 133 men clad in scarlet robes entered the chapel to pray, vote, and seek God’s will.
They don’t text. They don’t email. They don’t check the news.
They vote. In silence. In solemnity. With ballots burned in a furnace—black smoke if the vote failed, white if a new pope has been chosen.
This sacred tradition has been followed for centuries. It produced giants like John Paul II, and reformers like Pope Francis—the first Latin American pope, elected in 2013.
But this isn’t just about tradition. It’s about influence. Power. Direction.
And that should make every follower of Yahshua pause and pray.
What’s Happening Now? Vatican Conclave Cardinals Pope Francis Still Deadlocked
As of Thursday morning, no new pope has been elected.
The black smoke billowing on May 8 tells us that the Vatican conclave cardinals remain undecided. After an inconclusive vote Wednesday evening, they resumed voting Thursday afternoon. If history repeats, a decision could come by the end of the second day—as it did for Pope Francis in 2013 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
But for now?
The world waits.
Millions of Catholics are praying.
Millions of others are watching, analyzing, speculating.
And you? You might wonder: “What’s the big deal?”
Because the Pope Isn’t Just a Catholic Figure—He’s a Global One
Whether we agree with papal authority or not, we can’t deny this: the pope is seen by the world as the face of Christianity.
When Pope Francis speaks, governments listen. Media outlets quote him. Global issues—climate change, poverty, war, immigration—are shaped by his words.
This isn’t about agreeing with every doctrine of the Catholic Church. It’s about understanding how this position affects all believers—whether Protestant, Orthodox, Evangelical, or otherwise.
When a new pope is elected, it shapes conversations about:
- Religious freedom
- Moral leadership
- Ecumenical unity
- Christian identity in the modern world
And yes, even end-time prophecy.
Could This Be Prophetic? What Scripture Says
Now, I’m not saying the next pope is the Antichrist or the Vatican Conclave Cardinals Pope Francis would lead to the end time tomorrow. Let’s be responsible, not sensational.
But let’s also be alert.
The Bible warns us, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1, NKJV).
Some Christians believe the final world religious leader could emerge from within mainstream Christianity. Others see the papacy as symbolic of broader end-time deception.
Regardless of where you stand, Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah) tells us clearly: “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4, NKJV).
Being watchful doesn’t mean being paranoid.
It means being prayerful, rooted in Scripture, and led by the Spirit.
What Christians Can—and Should—Do Right Now
If you want to know more about this topic, I highly recommend you read my blog, “What does the Bible say About the Pope?“
In times like these—when the eyes of the world are fixed on the Vatican Conclave Cardinals Pope Francis, spiritual leaders, power transitions, and prophetic possibilities—we as believers are called not to spectate, but to act. This is not just a Catholic moment. This is a Christian moment. And here’s how you can live it with boldness, wisdom, and faith:
1. Pray for the Cardinals Involved in the Vatican Conclave
The Cardinals are still considered leaders and the Bible tells us to pray for them:
1 Timothy 2:1-2: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Even if you don’t agree with Catholic doctrine, pray for truth, righteousness, and godly fear to guide your decision.
2. Stay Rooted in the Word
The world is shifting. Leaders come and go. Doctrines evolve. But Yahweh’s Word remains forever.
Now more than ever, you need to be grounded—not in religious systems or charismatic personalities—but in the eternal truth of Scripture. Let the Bible be your anchor in a storm of speculation and change.
Don’t build your faith on a man in a robe. Build it on the Messiah who wore a crown of thorns.
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Yahshua the Messiah” (1 Corinthians 3:11, NKJV).
Make time each day to dwell in the Word. Let it shape your thinking, guide your prayers, and align your heart with Heaven. When you know the truth intimately, you won’t be deceived by counterfeits.
3. Be Discerning
In a world obsessed with spiritual authority and Vatican Conclave Cardinals Pope Francis, charisma can often masquerade as anointing. Just because someone speaks with confidence doesn’t mean they speak for God.
Yahshua warned us: “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24, NKJV).
Now is the time to sharpen your spiritual discernment. Don’t accept teachings or proclamations blindly—test them against the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and clarity. Be like the Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11, NKJV).
Discernment is not skepticism—it’s love for truth.
Stay watchful. Stay awake.
4. Be a Light
The world is watching the Vatican. News anchors, coworkers, neighbors—they’re asking questions. “What’s going on in Rome?” “Does this mean something big is coming?” “Is the end near?”
You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to shine the light of Yahshua.
Let these questions open doors for deeper conversations. Share the Gospel. Talk about the difference between religion and relationship, between ceremony and surrender, between human tradition and divine transformation.
Don’t hide your faith in this moment—let it blaze.
You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. And now is your time to rise and shine.
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Yahshua Messiah” (2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV).
In light of the historic Vatican conclave and the world’s growing curiosity about end-time events, now is the perfect time to dive deeper into what the Bible actually says about the future. My free 31-day Bible study series, Signs of the Age: 21 Bible Prophecies That Must Be Fulfilled Before Jesus Christ’s Return, will guide you through Scripture with clarity and urgency. Don’t just watch the signs—understand them through the lens of God’s Word.
Final Thoughts: Why It All Comes Back to the Heart
The Vatican conclave, the cardinals, Pope Francis’s successor—it’s easy to treat these as distant headlines. As something happening “over there.”
But this isn’t just about Rome.
It’s about whether the people of God—across every denomination—are awake.
Whether we are watching. Praying. Living with urgency and faithfulness.
Because one day, there won’t be black smoke or white smoke.
There will be a trumpet.
And the true King will return.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV).
Until then, stay alert. Stay grounded. Stay faithful.
And yes, stay curious—because sometimes, what happens behind closed doors in the Vatican… is a glimpse into what’s stirring in the spiritual world.
About the Author
Joshua Infantado is a Christian blogger and Bible teacher who has been writing faith-based content since 2013. He is the founder of Becoming Christians, where he shares blogs, books, videos, and online courses to help believers grow in truth and grace. Joshua lives in Davao City, Philippines with his wife Victoria and their son Caleb. Contact him at joshuainfantado@gmail.com.