The doors of the Sistine Chapel have officially closed, signaling the start of the highly secretive conclave to elect the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
A total of 133 cardinal electors, drawn from 71 countries, solemnly processed from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel, accompanied by the haunting chant of the Litany of the Saints, before locking themselves away from the world.
This marks the third conclave in 20 years and follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. The cardinals, all under the age of 80 as per church law, will remain in seclusion, cut off from all forms of external communication, until they select a new pope. Mass was celebrated earlier in the day at St. Peter’s Basilica, after which all non-electors were ordered out, and the doors to the chapel were sealed.
The election is governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. Cardinals cast their votes in up to four ballots each day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—until one among them receives a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes.
The result of each ballot is revealed to the world through smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney: black for inconclusive votes, and white to signal the successful election of a new pope.
To preserve secrecy, the electors have taken a strict oath, and any breach would result in automatic excommunication. Ballots are burned after every session, with chemicals added to ensure clarity in the smoke signals—an evolution prompted by past confusion.
This conclave is the most geographically diverse in the Church’s history, with Pope Francis having appointed 108 of the current electors. The outcome could significantly shape the global Church’s future direction.
As the world watches St. Peter’s Square for the first sign of smoke, anticipation builds for the historic “Habemus Papam” proclamation that will introduce the new pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Reporting compiled from Vatican Media, AP News, Axios, and NY Post.
