A conclave was held on 18 and 19 April 2005 to elect a new pope to succeed John Paul II, who had died on 2 April 2005. Of the 117 eligible cardinal electors, all but two attended. On the fourth ballot

Raniero Cantalamessa is an Italian Catholic cardinal, Capuchin priest, and theologian. He served as the Preacher to the Papal Household from 1980 until 2024, under Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, an