The conclave to elect a brand new pope begins right this moment — this is what we will count on

It’s an historic ritual, steeped in custom and shrouded in secrecy.

On Wednesday, the conclave to elect a brand new pope begins.

So what can we count on?

Here is what we all know.

When will the conclave begin?

The conclave is anticipated to start on Wednesday, Might 7 at 10am, native time, with a public Holy Mass at St Peter’s Basilica.

After the mass, the cardinals will retreat to their rooms subsequent door at Domus Sanctae Marthae, earlier than heading to the Sistine Chapel within the afternoon for the primary vote.

That is the place each papal election has taken place since 1878.

How lengthy can conclaves take?

The longest conclave lasted 1,006 days — virtually three years — again within the thirteenth century.

Darius Von Guttner, a historian with Australian Catholic College, stated this was because of a “political impasse” between Italian and French cardinals, who needed the papacy primarily based of their respective international locations.

Fortunately, this conclave should not take as lengthy.

The previous two papal elections had been determined in simply two days, after the fourth poll in 2005, and the fifth poll in 2013.

Mr Von Guttner stated he “would not be shocked” if this 12 months’s conclave took barely longer.

How does the conclave start?

Mr Von Guttner stated the cardinals will enter the chapel singing an historic hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus — Come Holy Spirit.

They will stroll in ascending rank — cardinal deacons, cardinal monks, and at last, cardinal bishops.

After this, they may vow to carry the secrets and techniques of the conclave course of.

The grasp of papal liturgical celebrations will then announce “further omnes” or “everybody out”.

At that time, all people besides the cardinal electors and people mandated to be current should exit.

Who can be voting?

About 250 cardinals are alive right this moment, however these aged over 80 are barred from voting.

That leaves 135 eligible cardinal electors this 12 months, however two have already dropped out.

One is just too ailing to attend and one other has excluded himself after being convicted of embezzlement in 2023.

A document 133 cardinals stay — the earlier most was 115 in 2013.

It is usually probably the most geographically various conclave ever, representing 72 international locations, many within the World South.

Mr Von Guttner stated it is also the youngest group ever.

Can individuals watch the conclave?

Conclaves are extremely secretive affairs.

As soon as they start, cardinals are “sequestered” — reduce off from the surface world.

Vatican employees are additionally sequestered, taking an oath of secrecy forward of the conclave.

Earlier than the voting begins, Vatican technicians conduct a safety sweep of the constructing.

This features a last scan for any hidden microphones or cameras within the space.

A false wood platform is put in to guard the marble flooring of the Sistine Chapel, with digital jammers positioned beneath to dam any cell or wi-fi indicators.

The excessive home windows within the Sistine Chapel are additionally boarded up.

What does the voting seem like?

The cardinals will probably sit in three “blocks” or ranks, Mr Von Guttner stated.

They will secretly write their selection on a paper bearing the phrases Eligo in Summum Pontificem — I elect as Supreme Pontiff.

The electors then proceed one after the other, in ascending rank, to a desk on the altar the place scrutineers preside over three urns.

Earlier than dropping their folded poll into one of many urns, they’re going to say:

Testor Christum Dominum, qui me iudicaturus est, me eum eligere, quem secundum Deum iudico eligi debere.

I name as my witness Christ the Lord, who’s to evaluate me, that I select him whom in accordance with God I choose should be elected.

Who counts the votes?

Earlier than every vote, the cardinals draw tons to decide on those that will supervise the vote.

This contains three scrutineers, who handle the urns and skim every poll aloud.

Three infirmarii are additionally chosen — they gather ballots from any electors who’re sick through the conclave.

And eventually, three revisers — they tally the numbers as soon as the “scrutiny” is completed.

How are the votes counted?

As soon as the voting is full, the counting begins.

One scrutineer shakes the urn and one other removes and counts the ballots.

If the variety of papers within the urn does not match the variety of electors, the entire vote can be void.

But when there aren’t any irregularities, the scrutineers will open every poll and notice down the title, with the final scrutineer studying it aloud.

Prior to now, the scrutineers would use a needle and thread to kind a “chain” of ballots.

The three revisers then double-check the ballots.

There may be one vote on the primary day, adopted by 4 votes over the subsequent two days — two within the morning and two within the afternoon.

How is a pope chosen?

A two-thirds-plus-one majority vote should be achieved to elect a brand new pope.

If not, all of the papers can be positioned in a 3rd urn and burnt within the chapel range.

On the identical time, a chemical is used to ship black smoke by way of the chapel’s chimney to point to the general public that no new pope has been chosen.

If a brand new pope is not chosen in three days, the cardinals can pause for a day of prayer and casual discussions earlier than persevering with.

What occurs as soon as a pope is chosen?

As soon as a two-thirds majority is achieved, the dean of the school, or probably the most senior cardinal bishop current, will method the pope-elect and ask:

Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?

Do you settle for your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?

In the event that they settle for, they may then be requested:

Quo nomine vis vocari?

By what title do you want to be referred to as?

Mr Von Guttner stated it is a deeply private resolution.

Some popes, like Pope Francis, selected the title of a saint.

Others, like Pope Benedict XVI, selected to be named after a previous pope they admired.

When does the general public discover out?

As quickly as this occurs, a chemical is used to launch white smoke from the chapel’s chimney to announce to the world {that a} pope has been elected.

Mr Von Guttner stated the cardinals would then historically share a brief prayer or liturgy and chant Te Deum — a hymn of thanksgiving.

The brand new pope will then be taken to a chamber named the “Room of Tears”.

Right here, he modifies into papal regalia.

Popes historically put on a white cassock, a white zucchetto (cranium cap) and a purple mozzetta (brief, overcoat-like clothes).

They used to put on the papal tiara — a big crown encrusted with gems — however that ceased within the mid-Nineteenth century.

“Why would you be carrying kilos in your head if you do not have to?” Mr Von Guttner stated.

When is the brand new pope introduced to the general public?

About an hour after the white smoke is launched, the brand new pope will seem on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, Mr Von Guttner stated.

The proto-deacon of the School of Cardinals will proclaim in Latin:

I announce to you an excellent pleasure;

we have now a pope:

Probably the most eminent and most reverend lord,

Lord [first name]

Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church [surname]

who has taken the title [papal name].

Historically, the brand new pope will then briefly deal with the group.

“They are saying one thing that could be very private. It isn’t scripted,” Mr Von Guttner stated.

Pope Francis’s first phrases had been easy: “Brothers and sisters, good night.”

He then requested for prayers earlier than blessing town and the world — a papal deal with often called “Urbi et Orbi”.

Can I watch a stay stream of the conclave?

Except a recording machine has illegally made it previous the Vatican technicians, no.

However the world’s media may have their lenses skilled on the Sistine Chapel’s chimney and St Peter’s Sq..

This can be revealed as quickly as black smoke (no resolution) or white smoke (resolution) is launched, and international media protection of the brand new pope will start.