VATICAN CITY – The Vatican is gearing up for a historic event as 133 cardinals are set to convene inside the iconic Sistine Chapel Wednesday evening to elect the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. The day’s proceedings will kick off at 10:00 local time with a televised mass held at St. Peter's Basilica, presided over by 91-year-old Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re, who also led Pope Francis’ funeral.
Those attending the conclave will be cut off from communication with the outside world, as mobile signals in and around the Vatican will be disabled at the start of the voting process. Schedule highlights include the procession to the Sistine Chapel around 16:15, during which the cardinals will unite in song, invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance with hymns like “Veni Creator.”
Upon entering the chapel, each cardinal will swear an oath of secrecy, ensuring confidentiality about the proceedings. “Extra omnes” will signal the beginning of their isolation—a nod to their commitment to selecting a new pope while the Apostolic Palace remains sealed, monitored by Swiss guards.
Balloting will commence shortly after the oaths are taken. While the first ballot can result in the election, it’s rare; past conclaves have typically seen voters aligning around common candidates in subsequent votes. Austen Ivereigh, a Catholic writer, notes that understanding momentum from early ballots is crucial for a coherent electoral process. If no majority emerges, cardinals will retreat to guesthouse Casa Santa Marta for reflection over dinner, where conversations about potential candidates will ensue.
As daybreak approaches, breakfast will be served, allowing cardinals to prepare for additional rounds of voting. The conclave’s duration remains uncertain; past events have wrapped up quickly, but drawn-out proceedings could signal internal discord. Meanwhile, outside the chapel, crowds anxiously await the sight of white smoke from the chimney of St. Peter’s Basilica—a sign that the conclave has successfully concluded with a new pope chosen.
