The Vatican announced on 21 April 2025 that Pope Francis had died, which will leave the College of Cardinals responsible for electing a new pope (Vatican News, AP, NPR). The College must cast ballots until a single candidate received a two-thirds majority vote, but the threshold may be changed if the conclave fails to elect a pope after a period of time (ABC News, Archdiocese of Boston). If the College has not elected a new pope before 1 July 2025, the closing date will be extended. In 2013, the election of Pope Francis occurred on the fifth ballot (CBS8). The question will close upon a ninth ballot being taken without a pope being elected.

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The question closed "4 or 5" with a closing date of 8 May 2025.

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