As the Catholic Church prepares to welcome its 267th Pope, 133 cardinals are set to participate in a closely monitored conclave at the Vatican.
### Cardinals Set to Begin Secret Conclave for Papal Election
### Cardinals Set to Begin Secret Conclave for Papal Election
Voting begins in the Sistine Chapel as cardinals gather to select the next Pope, amid strict secrecy.
In a highly anticipated event, the conclave to elect the 267th Pope is about to commence in Vatican City, with 133 cardinals gathered in the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel. It all starts with a solemn mass at St. Peter's Basilica, officiated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who also presided over Pope Francis’s funeral. This service will be broadcasted, allowing the faithful to witness the beginning of the Pope election process.
As the day progresses, mobile signals will be disabled to ensure the cardinals’ discussions remain confidential. The electors will then form a procession, singing hymns and prayers as they make their way to the Sistine Chapel, where they will take a sacred oath of secrecy. This oath obliges the cardinals to keep the details of the election process private for life.
Following the oath, the ceremonial phrase "extra omnes" will mark the beginning of their seclusion, as non-electoral staff are asked to leave. The entrances will then be sealed, and the Swiss guards will secure the area, ensuring an undisturbed voting environment.
Diego Ravelli will distribute ballots, and while the first voting round follows immediately, historical precedent suggests it might not yield a decisive winner. Catholic commentator Austen Ivereigh notes that the initial votes will help indicate the leading candidates, as the following rounds will reveal which cardinals gain momentum.
If a two-thirds majority isn’t achieved, the cardinals will reconvene at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse for dinner, where informal discussions may help ease divisions among them. Reports indicate that meals will be light, complemented by wine, and all staff are sworn to secrecy through the conclave.
As the days progress, voting will continue with periodic breaks for meals and rest. Pope Francis’s own election showcased how informal interactions, coinciding with a structured voting process, can influence outcomes. The ongoing conclave may remain brief or extend longer than expected, contingent on internal consensus among the cardinals. Outside the chapel, thousands await the telltale white smoke signaling the election of the new Pope, hopeful for swift resolution in the one of the Church's most critical undertakings.
As the day progresses, mobile signals will be disabled to ensure the cardinals’ discussions remain confidential. The electors will then form a procession, singing hymns and prayers as they make their way to the Sistine Chapel, where they will take a sacred oath of secrecy. This oath obliges the cardinals to keep the details of the election process private for life.
Following the oath, the ceremonial phrase "extra omnes" will mark the beginning of their seclusion, as non-electoral staff are asked to leave. The entrances will then be sealed, and the Swiss guards will secure the area, ensuring an undisturbed voting environment.
Diego Ravelli will distribute ballots, and while the first voting round follows immediately, historical precedent suggests it might not yield a decisive winner. Catholic commentator Austen Ivereigh notes that the initial votes will help indicate the leading candidates, as the following rounds will reveal which cardinals gain momentum.
If a two-thirds majority isn’t achieved, the cardinals will reconvene at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse for dinner, where informal discussions may help ease divisions among them. Reports indicate that meals will be light, complemented by wine, and all staff are sworn to secrecy through the conclave.
As the days progress, voting will continue with periodic breaks for meals and rest. Pope Francis’s own election showcased how informal interactions, coinciding with a structured voting process, can influence outcomes. The ongoing conclave may remain brief or extend longer than expected, contingent on internal consensus among the cardinals. Outside the chapel, thousands await the telltale white smoke signaling the election of the new Pope, hopeful for swift resolution in the one of the Church's most critical undertakings.
