The Vatican on Monday May 5, 2025, confirmed the arrival of all 133 cardinals eligible to elect a new pope.
These cardinals will enter the secret conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died recently.
The Vatican said the conclave will commence Wednesday inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
A special Mass will hold Wednesday morning at St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of the conclave opening.
At 4:30 pm local time, the cardinals will formally enter the Sistine Chapel to begin voting.
The Sistine Chapel, decorated with Michelangelo’s frescoes, will serve as the sacred voting venue.
Cardinals are required to cast ballots until one person gains a two-thirds majority vote.
The initial vote will occur Wednesday afternoon, the Vatican disclosed.
From Thursday, voting continues with two rounds in the morning and two in the afternoon.
If no pope is chosen in three days, a prayer pause will follow before voting resumes.
Only smoke signals will communicate the outcome of the voting process to the world.
Black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote; white smoke announces a new pope has emerged.
The special chimney above the chapel will release these coloured smoke signals after each ballot burning.
Chemical additives ensure the smoke emits clearly for viewers gathered outside the chapel.
The conclave remains strictly secret, with no contact allowed between cardinals and the outside world.
Security around the Vatican has intensified ahead of the voting sessions.
Catholics worldwide await the outcome, as 1.4 billion faithful prepare to welcome a new spiritual leader.
Vatican officials have sealed off access points to ensure privacy and order during the papal election.
Observers say the next pope may emerge within days if early consensus builds among the cardinals.
Past conclaves lasted between one and five days, depending on voting outcomes and internal negotiations.
The Vatican’s rules allow for additional procedures if voting remains inconclusive after several attempts.
This papal conclave marks a historic moment following Pope Francis’ death.
The new pope, once elected, will appear at the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
There, he will give his first blessing, known as Urbi et Orbi, to the city and the world.
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