The first day of the papal conclave begins today with a solemn ritual and high anticipation as the College of Cardinals prepares to elect the next pope following the death of Pope Francis.
At 4 a.m. ET (Eastern Time Zone), the cardinals will attend a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica known as “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” — or “For the Election of the Roman Pontiff.” The Mass will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who will deliver a homily reflecting on the Church’s direction and priorities in the wake of Pope Francis’ passing — informed by days of private discussions among the cardinals, according to CNN.
After the Mass, the cardinals will pause for lunch and a final period of contemplation.
At 10:30 a.m. ET, the cardinals will begin a solemn procession into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the Latin hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus” under Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling. There, all 133 cardinal-electors will take a sacred oath of secrecy regarding the conclave proceedings — both collectively and individually.
Once the ritual is complete, the command “extra omnes” — Latin for “everyone out” — will be issued, signaling the closure of the chapel doors to all but the cardinal-electors.
Voting will then begin. The world will watch the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel: white smoke signals a successful election and the emergence of a new pope, while black smoke means no consensus has yet been reached. If needed, multiple voting rounds will continue on Thursday.
