The Catholic Church has officially begun its sacred and secretive process of selecting a new pope following the death of Pope Francis last month. This event, known as the conclave, is taking place within the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, where 133 cardinal electors have gathered to decide who will become the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The voting commenced this afternoon, and if any of the cardinals secures more than two-thirds of the votes, a new pope will be elected. Otherwise, the voting will continue into Thursday. The conclave is not just a significant religious event but a carefully orchestrated tradition that blends centuries-old rituals with modern precautions.
The Sistine Chapel is now sealed off from the outside world. No outsiders are permitted once the doors are closed, and the area is under a total lockdown to ensure strict confidentiality. In a measure reflecting the times, the Vatican has deployed signal jammers to prevent any form of electronic surveillance or external communication during the voting process. A Vatican spokesperson explained that cardinals were required to surrender all their electronic devices, including mobile phones, which will only be returned once the conclave concludes.
In accordance with tradition, the order “Extra omnes,” meaning “everybody out” in Latin, was issued by Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations. This declaration marked the final moment when non-voting individuals exited the chapel, leaving only the 133 cardinal electors behind. The conclave officially began once the doors were locked behind them.
Each cardinal, in order of seniority, has pledged an oath of secrecy, ensuring they will not disclose any aspect of the election process to the public. Among the first to swear the oath was Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, who led the cardinals into the chapel. He was followed by other prominent figures considered “papabile” — a term used for cardinals seen as potential future popes — including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, Cardinal Gérald Lacroix of Quebec, and Cardinal Joseph Tobin from the United States. Despite speculation, no clear favorite has emerged.
The collective oath, which all cardinals took before the individual ones, binds them to maintain absolute secrecy regarding all matters related to the election. The phrase they recited was solemn: “And I… do promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.”
As the conclave commenced, visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square, watching the cardinals’ procession to the Sistine Chapel on large screens. The 133 cardinal electors, under Michelangelo’s iconic fresco ceiling, are now responsible for choosing the Church’s next spiritual leader. Before the vote, the cardinals chanted the “Litany of the Saints” and sang two traditional prayers. One of the most significant hymns they will sing is “Veni, creator Spiritus,” a centuries-old plea for divine guidance from the Holy Spirit.
The responsibility of overseeing the conclave typically falls on the Dean of the College of Cardinals. However, the current Dean, Cardinal Giovanni Re, is 91 and ineligible to vote due to age. Instead, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a longtime ally of Pope Francis and current Vatican Secretary of State, is presiding over the proceedings.
At 70, Parolin is the highest-ranking cardinal under 80 and therefore eligible to vote and be elected. He began the conclave with an opening prayer in the Pauline Chapel and then led the procession with the other 132 voting cardinals into the Sistine Chapel. Once inside, he administered the oath of secrecy. If a candidate secures the required two-thirds majority, it will be Parolin’s duty to ask two key questions: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” and “By what name do you wish to be called?”
Parolin’s experience makes him a significant figure in this conclave. He was instrumental in Pope Francis’ foreign policy and worked extensively to strengthen the Church’s relationships, especially in Asia. His prior service includes 30 years as a Vatican diplomat, giving him a deep understanding of the Curia — the Church’s central administration. While he is presiding over the election, Parolin is also considered one of the leading contenders for the papacy.
As the cardinals moved from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel, they did so accompanied by solemn rituals. They sang the “Litany of the Saints,” invoking the intercession of over 100 Catholic saints. The ceremonial procession was led by a cross flanked by two candles, while Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli followed at the rear, signifying the sacredness of the journey.
Although the conclave operates in secrecy, attempts have been made to influence the cardinals’ decisions. In the days leading up to the vote, the electors were provided with a publication titled “The College of Cardinals Report.” This document includes detailed profiles on approximately 40 possible candidates for the papacy. It covers their views on critical issues such as same-sex blessings, the ordination of female deacons, and contraception — all controversial topics that marked Pope Francis’ progressive tenure.
While the report is publicly available online, a printed version has also been circulated. According to CNN, one retired cardinal, who is not eligible to vote, confirmed receiving a hard copy of the report. Two church lawyers told CNN that the document appears to be a biased attempt to steer the conclave away from continuing Pope Francis’ direction. As one source described it, the report sends a clear message: “Choose a pope who will take the church in a different direction from the views of Pope Francis.”
The conclave’s blend of ancient ceremony and modern concerns underscores the magnitude of the task at hand. As cardinals deliberate in the Sistine Chapel, Catholics around the world await the outcome — a decision that will shape the direction of the Church for years to come. The smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney will provide the only signal to the outside world: black for no decision, white for the election of a new pope.
Until that white smoke appears, the world watches and waits.