St. Peter’s Basilica hosts the Mass led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, marking the start of the conclave in which 133 cardinals will choose Francis’s successor.

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The Ticking Clock: Anticipation Builds for the Historic Vatican Conclave

From the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica in the heart of the Vatican, the Holy Mass for the election of the Roman Pontiff has just begun, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. This sacred event not only marks a moment of deep spirituality for the Catholic Church, but also symbolizes a call for unity and social justice in a world marked by inequality and conflict.

The day began at 10:00 a.m. local time with the Mass concelebrated by the 133 cardinal electors, joined by cardinals over 80, bishops, priests, religious, and the faithful. This liturgical act seeks to invoke the wisdom and discernment necessary for the choice of the new pontiff.

Procession and Enclosure in the Sistine Chapel

In the afternoon, the cardinals gathered in the Pauline Chapel and, after a procession chanting litanies and the hymn ‘Veni Creator,’ solemnly entered the Sistine Chapel. There, after the oath of secrecy and the “Extra Omnes” formula ordering all non-electors to leave, the cardinals began their seclusion for voting.

The Voting Procedure

The election process follows a strict protocol. Each cardinal writes his vote on a ballot, deposits it in the urn, and three scrutineers read the names aloud. The ballots are pierced, tied together, and burned, producing black smoke if there is no agreement or white smoke if a new Pope is chosen.

This conclave is the largest and most multicultural in history, with cardinals from 71 countries. Internal divisions reflect the tension between those who wish to continue Francis’s legacy and those seeking a new direction. Among the favorites are Pietro Parolin, Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Luis Antonio Tagle, Robert Francis Prevost, and Peter Erdö.

A Moment of Global Significance

The election of the new pontiff unfolds under the watchful eyes of millions of faithful. The result, which will be announced with the traditional white smoke, will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church and its role in the contemporary world.

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