Cardinal Conclave Begins: Secrets of the Papal Election Unveiled

On Wednesday night, inside the majestic dome of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, 133 cardinals will cast their votes to choose the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church, making way for its 267th pontiff.

The morning will kick off at 10:00 (09:00 BST) with a Mass held in St. Peter’s Basilica. This ceremony, set to be broadcast on television, will be led by Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Cardinal Dean, who also officiated at Pope Francis’ funeral.

During the mid-afternoon, the mobile phone signals inside Vatican City will be disabled to ensure that those participating in the conclave cannot communicate with the external world.

Approximately at 16:15 (15:15 BST), the 133 cardinal electors will assemble in the Pauline Chapel and proceed to the Sistine Chapel.

Throughout this time, they will recite a litany and sing the hymn "Veni Creator," which serves as an appeal to the Holy Spirit—a force believed to guide the cardinals in selecting the next Pope.

Upon entering the Sistine Chapel, with one hand placed upon a copy of the Gospel, the cardinals will recite an obligatory vow of confidentiality, ensuring they never disclose information regarding the election process for the new Pope.

Once all the electors have sworn their oaths, a period of reflection will commence. Following this, Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations Diego Ravelli will declare “extra omnes” (“everyone out”).

Despite not being a cardinal elector, he is among the three church officials permitted to remain inside the Sistine Chapel. However, these individuals must vacate the area when the ballots are tallied.

When the phrase "extra omnes" is uttered, it signals the beginning of the cardinals' seclusion and initiates the conclave process.

The term, derived from the Latin phrase “cum clave,” meaning "locked with a key," is somewhat deceptive since the cardinals are not actually confined within. Instead, on Tuesday, Vatican authorities sealed off access to the Apostolic Palace—including the Sistine Chapel—with lead seals that will stay in place throughout the duration of the processions. Additionally, Swiss Guards have been posted at every entrance to the chapel.

Diego Ravelli will be responsible for distributing the ballots, and shortly thereafter, the cardinals will move forward with the initial voting process.

Although there is nothing prohibiting the Pope from being elected on the initial vote, this hasn’t occurred for many centuries. Nevertheless, that first ballot remains highly significant, according to Austen Ivereigh, a Catholic author and analyst.

"The cardinals receiving over 20 votes will be considered. During the initial round of voting, the ballots tend to be widely dispersed; however, the voters understand they must focus their efforts on those with significant support," according to Ivereigh.

He notes that each subsequent vote will show which cardinals are gaining traction. "It’s similar to a political campaign... yet, it isn’t truly a contest; rather, it’s a collective attempt to reach agreement."

Should the ballot fail to achieve the required two-thirds majority needed to select a new pontiff, the cardinal electors return to their residence at Casa Santa Marta for supper. During this time away from formal voting sessions, crucial discussions occur amongst them, leading to initial agreements forming around various candidates.

As reported by Italian media outlets, the meal choices feature lighter fare typically offered to visitors at the residence. Wine will be available, though not any hard liquor. Additionally, all servers and culinary personnel must remain within the premises throughout the entire conclave period under strict confidentiality agreements.

Starting Thursday morning, the cardinals will have breakfast from 06:30 (05:30 BST) to 07:30 (06:30 BST), before attending Mass at 08:15 (07:15 BST). They will hold two voting sessions in the morning, followed by lunch and some downtime. According to his memoirs, Pope Francis mentioned that this was when he started receiving indications from other cardinals suggesting that significant support for him was building up; he was ultimately chosen during one of the afternoon ballots. Both previous conclaves were completed within the span of two days.

At present, it’s impossible to determine if this conclave will be brief or protracted – however, the cardinals understand that prolonging the process might be seen as an indication of significant divisions among them.

While they converse, petition, and cast their ballots inside the Sistine Chapel with its shuttered windows, countless devoted individuals gathered outside will gaze towards the chimney situated beside St. Peter's Basilica. They await the emergence of a white puff of smoke, which signifies that a new pope has been chosen.

• The divisions lurking behind the scenes at the Vatican before the conclave begin.
• Who might become the next pope? Important contenders in an uncertain selection process.
• Secret Ballot: How Vatican Maintains the Privacy of Papal Elections During the Conclave

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