The Giro d'Italia will pay homage to the late Pope Francis by passing through the Vatican gardens behind St. Peter's Basilica and in front of the Santa Marta hotel during the final stage of the cycling race on June 1.

The late Pope Francis, who died on 21 April, will be remembered with a neutralised start in Vatican City on the final stage of the 2025 Giro d'Italia. Riders will pass through Vatican City in Rome on 1 June before the official start of the final stage of the Giro,

The death of Pope Francis paves the way for one of the most secretive events in human history, as depicted in the papal thriller "Conclave."

A conclave is the centuries-old election of a pope that derives its name from the Italian “con clave” (with a key) to underscore that cardinals are sequestered until they find a winner. Cardinals have no contact with the outside world after the master of liturgical ceremonies utters the words “Extra Omnes” the Latin phrase for “all out,

Catholic cardinals on Monday set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor, delaying the secret voting for two days so they can get to know one another better and find consensus on a candidate before they are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel.