Cardinals assemble in Rome as Vatican prepares for Conclave

All 133 Catholic cardinals eligible to vote in the next papal election have arrived in Rome, the Vatican confirmed on Monday, ahead of the solemn and secretive conclave that will determine the successor to Pope Francis.

The highly anticipated conclave is set to begin this week, marking a pivotal moment for the Roman Catholic Church as it prepares to choose its next spiritual leader among the cardinals—each a senior cleric appointed from around the globe.

The chosen pontiff will become the 267th pope and will assume leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

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The proceedings will begin Wednesday morning with a special Missa pro Eligendo Pontifice (Mass for the Election of a Pope) held in St. Peter’s Basilica. This liturgical tradition seeks divine guidance

According to the Vatican, the cardinals will gather in secret in the Sistine Chapel starting at 4:30 pm (1430 GMT) on Wednesday.

They will keep voting until one choice among them has a two-thirds majority, and becomes head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The conclave itself begins Wednesday morning with the celebration of a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

In the afternoon, the cardinals will formally process into the Sistine Chapel, the storied 15th century worship space adorned with frescoes by Michelangelo, where they will begin voting for the next pope.

They are expected to take one vote on Wednesday afternoon. Subsequent days will have two votes each morning and afternoon. It takes a two-thirds majority for someone to be elected.

According to conclave regulations, if no-one has been chosen after the first three days, the cardinals should take a day-long “pause of prayer” before continuing.

The only signal given to the outside world about the deliberations will come from a chimney installed above the chapel.

The cardinals will burn their ballots, adding a chemical product to create one of two colours of smoke: black for an inconclusive vote; white when there is a new pope.