KINGSTON, R.I.—May 2, 2025—The papal conclave dates back centuries. Shrouded in mystery, the conclave is a private election that determines the next leader of the Catholic Church. On May 7, while the world waits, 135 cardinals will gather behind closed doors in Vatican City and will not emerge until a successor to the late Pope Francis has been named.

On Tuesday, May 6, the University of Rhode Island Center for the Humanities will host “Conclave: Past and Future,” featuring URI medieval scholar Joëlle Rollo-Koster. Rollo-Koster, one of the world’s foremost experts on the papacy, is the co-editor of the new three-volume Cambridge History of the Papacy. She has also written extensively on Pope Francis’ legacy.  

In a recent piece for The Conversation, Rollo-Koster noted that the conclave evolved over centuries—and why. “Electing this powerful figure was a cantankerous affair, marred by violence and external interference,” she said. “It took centuries for the church to develop an electoral system free from manipulations and violence – which should resonate with contemporary politics.” 

In her talk, Rollo-Koster will work to demystify the conclave and discuss why the conclave was created, what it meant for the history of the Catholic Church and the papacy, as well as the current conclave that will begin Wednesday and continue until onlookers witness a plume of white smoke emitted from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. 

Free and open to the public, the discussion will begin at 2 p.m. in the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons’ Galanti Lounge on the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus.

WHO: URI medieval scholar and papal expert Joëlle Rollo-Koster

WHAT:   Conclave: Past and Future

WHEN:  Tuesday, May 6 at 2 p.m. 

WHERE: URI Carothers Library and Learning Commons; Galanti Lounge; 15 Lippitt Road, Kingston