Hello Rome visitor,
The cardinals lock themselves from this afternoon in the Sistine Chapel for a conclave responsible for electing, in the greatest secrecy, the successor of Pope Francis.
More than two weeks after the death of Jorge Bergoglio, the 133 cardinals voters from 70 countries – a record – will launch this extremely codified ceremonial in the Sistine Chapel and followed with attention by some 1.4 billion Catholics and thousands of journalists from around the world.
Prelude to this ritual, all the cardinals attended a solemn mass in the Saint-Pierre basilica, chaired by the dean of the Cardinalice college, the Italian Giovanni Battista Re.
The afternoon will follow a prayer in the Pauline chapel, which adjoins the Sistine, at 4:30 p.m.
The countdown will really start around 5 p.m., with the entry into procession of cardinals voters in a sixtine chapel with drastic isolation: no mobile phone will be authorized, and telecommunications networks will be cut between the walls of the city of Vatican. Costles will make it possible to guarantee that no communication with the outside world is possible.
Having taken an oath not to reveal anything about exchanges – under penalty of excommunication – they will then lock themselves in front of the majestic but also intimidating fresco Denten judgmentR, from Michelangelo.
Wednesday evening will take place a first vote, the result of which will probably not be known before 7 p.m. This first round allowing to gauge the forces present, it is unlikely that the majority of two thirds, that is to say 89 votes, be reached.
The election should continue on Thursday, with two laps scheduled during the morning session and two others in the afternoon.
The world will have its eyes riveted on the metal chimney fixed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel which will release, at the end of each session, its announcing smoke: black in the absence of choice, and white if the Pope is elected.