At 5:46 PM this Wednesday, the Vatican closed the doors of the Sistine Chapel to begin the Conclave to elect the new Pope of the Catholic Church, the 267th since St. Peter.
As a result, the 133 cardinal electors with the right to vote have been isolated from the outside world, in accordance with ecclesiastical regulations.
The day began with a solemn procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel, led by the tall cross and two candles.
There, in front of Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment, the cardinals sang the hymn "Veni Creator" and individually took the oath of secrecy, placing their hands on the Gospels and committing to not disclose any aspect of the electoral process.
Following the oath formula outlined in the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, all present non-electors left the Chapel when the traditional "Extra omnes" (Everyone out) was pronounced by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Diego Ravelli.
With this, the period of deliberation and voting began in complete isolation.
During the time of the Conclave, the cardinals must refrain from any communication with the outside world. At 3:00 PM this Wednesday, the mobile phone transmission systems in the Vatican City were deactivated as part of the measures to preserve secrecy.
Any violation of this regulation may result in excommunication "latae sententiae" (automatic), which can only be lifted by the Apostolic See.
A first vote is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, with smoke likely to be seen between 6:00 and 7:00 PM.
For a candidate to be elected, a qualified majority of at least 89 votes is required, which is equivalent to two-thirds of the total voters.
If a necessary consensus is not reached in this first round, the Conclave will continue with four daily ballots: two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The cardinals will leave their accommodations at the Santa Marta residence on Thursday at around 7:45 AM to head to the Apostolic Palace, where they will participate in the Mass at the Pauline Chapel at 8:15 AM.
Voting will begin at 9:15 am. If the result is positive, smoke signals should be visible after 10:30 am. If a second vote is necessary, white smoke is expected to appear around 12:30 pm.
If no agreement is reached, the voting will resume at 4:30 PM with the same voting routine. White smoke may appear after 5:30 PM or at 7:00 PM.
If a positive result is not reached within three consecutive days, a day of pause dedicated to prayer and dialogue among the cardinals is established.
The election process is conducted exclusively by ballot.
In the event that a selection is not achieved after multiple rounds, the regulations provide for a final phase between the two most voted candidates; however, it will still be necessary to reach two-thirds to validate the election.
Once the new Pope is elected, the dean of the College of Cardinals will ask him if he accepts the position and what name he wishes to take. Following this, he will move to the so-called "room of tears," where he will choose one of the three available white habits and prepare in prayer.
Shortly thereafter, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti will announce to the world the traditional "Habemus Papam" from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
The new Pontiff will come out to bestow the Apostolic Blessing "Urbi et Orbi," bringing to a close one of the most solemn and reserved rites of the Catholic Church.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Conclave and the Election of the New Pope
What is a Conclave and how is the new Pope elected?
The Conclave is the process by which the cardinals of the Catholic Church elect a new Pope. It takes place in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, where 133 voting cardinals are isolated from the outside world to deliberate and vote. A minimum of 89 votes, equivalent to two-thirds, is required to elect the new Pontiff. If consensus is not reached, four votes are conducted daily until an election is achieved.
What do the white and black smoke signals mean during the Conclave?
The smoke signals are used to communicate the outcome of the votes in the Conclave. A black smoke signal indicates that a consensus has not been reached to elect the new Pope, while a white smoke signal means that a new Pope has been chosen. These signals are awaited with great anticipation by the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and around the world.
What is the role of the Cuban cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez in the Conclave?
The Cuban cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez participates as one of the cardinal electors in the Conclave. At 76 years old, he has the right to vote in the election of the new Pope and is a prominent figure in the Catholic Church in Cuba. His presence in this process is a source of pride for the Cuban Catholic community, which sees him as a representative of the vitality and commitment of the Church on the island.
Why was the start of the Conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor delayed?
The start of the Conclave was delayed by two days to encourage greater interaction among the cardinals. The decision was made to allow for more informal meetings and to seek solid consensus before the cardinals seclude themselves in the Sistine Chapel for the voting process, as agreed in the fifth General Congregation held on April 28, 2025.
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