Voting for New Pope Commences as Cardinals Enter Secret Conclave

The conclave begins with a mass, followed by isolated voting to elect the 267th pope beneath Michelangelo's masterpiece.

As the anticipation builds, 133 cardinals are set to vote for the new Pope on Wednesday evening in the iconic Sistine Chapel, following an exclusive mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony, led by Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re, will be broadcasted live and offers the first glimpse into a historic process that may lead to the election of the Catholic Church's 267th leader.

The day will kick off at 10:00 (09:00 BST) with a solemn mass, before the Vatican takes precautions to ensure privacy by deactivating mobile signals within its walls. By around 16:15 (15:15 BST), the cardinals will make a solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel, chanting hymns that invoke the Holy Spirit—a guiding presence for the electors.

Upon entering the chapel, each cardinal will take an oath of secrecy placed on the Bible, pledging to keep the details of the election confidential. The ceremony will reach a critical point when Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, announces “extra omnes”, signaling the commencement of the cardinals' isolation as they begin their deliberations in earnest.

With the entrances sealed by Vatican officials and guardians on hand, the voting process will be overseen by Ravelli, who is responsible for distributing ballots. With historical precedent stating that the first vote rarely results in a pope, candidates who secure more than 20 votes will become pivotal moving forward.

Though the cardinals will break for a communal dinner at guesthouse Casa Santa Marta if the initial vote does not yield a two-thirds majority, these dinners are ripe for informal discussions that may lead to fiercer consensus on a candidate. Italian reports reveal the menu consists of lighter fare, and strict secrecy is enforced among the staff serving meals.

Starting Thursday morning, the schedule includes breakfast before more voting occurs, with last-minute discussions likely playing an integral part in shaping the outcomes. The latest conclaves have typically wrapped up by the end of their second day, although unpredictability looms—delayed processes often hint at factional disagreements among cardinals.

As the conclave unfolds behind closed doors, thousands of onlookers will vigilantly watch the chimney beside St. Peter's Basilica, eagerly waiting for the white smoke that will herald the news of a new papal election.