On Wednesday evening, under the artistic splendor of the Sistine Chapel, the Catholic Church's College of Cardinals will commence voting to appoint a new leader following the passing of Pope Francis. The day’s activities will kick off at 10 AM (09:00 BST) with a mass in St Peter's Basilica, officiated by 91-year-old Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re. The mass will be broadcasted live to the public, setting a solemn tone for the proceedings.
Voting Begins for the Next Pope as Cardinals Enter Conclave
Voting Begins for the Next Pope as Cardinals Enter Conclave
As 133 cardinals prepare to select the 267th pope, the Vatican gears up for a historic conclave marked by prayer and secrecy.
Following the liturgy, the cardinals will operate under sealed conditions as mobile signals are disabled to maintain the confidentiality of the election process. Around 4:15 PM (15:15 BST), the group of cardinal electors will make a procession, singing hymns, towards the chapel to affirm their commitment to secrecy through a solemn oath on the Gospel.
Once the cardinals are inside the Sistine Chapel, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Diego Ravelli, will signal the official start of the conclave by announcing "extra omnes," meaning the doors will be sealed to outsiders. The cardinals, now isolated, will immediately begin casting their votes, though it's historically rare for a new pope to be elected on the first ballot.
Catholic commentator Austen Ivereigh notes that while initial votes may be scattered, they are crucial for assessing which candidates are gaining traction. If no candidate receives the necessary two-thirds majority, discussions will continue during meals at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse, where light dishes and wine will be on the menu, and staff are sworn to maintain confidentiality.
The daily schedule includes early breakfasts and multiple voting sessions, with preceding rounds pivotal for establishing consensus among cardinals. The anticipation of the public outside is palpable, as thousands of faithful await the white plume of smoke from the chapel chimney, signaling the successful election of the new pope. Whether the conclave will be swift or extended remains uncertain, but any protracted discussions could signal deep divides within the Church.
As the world waits, the cardinals are set to engage in a sacred dialogue to choose the future of the Catholic Church operating within a backdrop of prayer and solemnity.
Once the cardinals are inside the Sistine Chapel, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Diego Ravelli, will signal the official start of the conclave by announcing "extra omnes," meaning the doors will be sealed to outsiders. The cardinals, now isolated, will immediately begin casting their votes, though it's historically rare for a new pope to be elected on the first ballot.
Catholic commentator Austen Ivereigh notes that while initial votes may be scattered, they are crucial for assessing which candidates are gaining traction. If no candidate receives the necessary two-thirds majority, discussions will continue during meals at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse, where light dishes and wine will be on the menu, and staff are sworn to maintain confidentiality.
The daily schedule includes early breakfasts and multiple voting sessions, with preceding rounds pivotal for establishing consensus among cardinals. The anticipation of the public outside is palpable, as thousands of faithful await the white plume of smoke from the chapel chimney, signaling the successful election of the new pope. Whether the conclave will be swift or extended remains uncertain, but any protracted discussions could signal deep divides within the Church.
As the world waits, the cardinals are set to engage in a sacred dialogue to choose the future of the Catholic Church operating within a backdrop of prayer and solemnity.
