The 133 elector cardinals moved to the residence of Santa Marta and other facilities in the Vatican on Tuesday, where they will stay throughout the conclave.
Formally, the conclave to choose the successor of the deceased Pope Francis began this Wednesday. The steps of the conclave are governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by John Paul II in 1996.
The cardinal electors participate in a solemn mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, stated that “the call to maintain the unity of the Church is strong” in his homily during the ‘Pro eligendo pontifice’ mass, before the 133 cardinal electors in St. Peter’s Basilica, prior to the start of the conclave to choose the successor of Pope Francis.
He asked to pray “so that God grants the Church a Pope who knows best how to awaken the consciences of all and the moral and spiritual forces in today’s society, characterized by great technological progress, but tends to forget about God,” Re assured.
“The unity of the Church is desired by Christ; a unity that does not mean uniformity, but a firm and deep communion in diversity,” he said.
In the afternoon, dressed in their scarlet robes, the cardinal electors will gather in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace and, in procession towards the Sistine Chapel, they will invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit. In front of the fresco of the Last Judgment painted by Michelangelo, the cardinals will take an oath with their hand on the Gospel.
The first vote will be today
According to a ritual inherited from the Middle Ages, the master of ceremonies pronounces the phrase “extra omnes” (everyone out). The people who are not participating in the election leave the room, and then the doors are closed. The goal is for the cardinals to avoid external influences.
The first vote is scheduled for this afternoon, but a quick decision is considered unlikely. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope.