The conclave to elect a new Pope will begin this Wednesday at the Vatican. It will be attended by cardinals under 80 years old. From then on, the Catholic population will be watching the chimney of the Sistine Chapel from which the white smoke will announce the successor of Francis. The conclave will start after the nine days of official mourning for the death of Francis. The announcement of the new pontiff must be made before May 12.
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, will announce the election with the traditional "Habemus papam". The participation of 133 cardinal electors is expected, as two of the 135 designated will not attend due to health reasons. The day will include the "Pro Eligendo Pontifice" mass at 10 in the morning, and in the afternoon, at 16:30, the seclusion in the Sistine Chapel will begin for the first vote.
The result will be communicated with the smoke coming from the chimney: black if there is no consensus, white if there is a new Pope. During the previous week, the cardinals held general congregations to exchange opinions. This Monday, the meetings intensified to make progress in the agreements. Security was reinforced with secrecy, deactivating cameras, securing access points, and requiring discretion from all external personnel involved in the process.
The cardinals will only leave the Sistine Chapel after they have elected the new leader of the Catholic Church. All voting cardinals are present at the Vatican and will be housed in the Casa Santa Marta and the old Santa Marta. They will have the freedom to move to the Sistine Chapel from the Casa Santa Marta, following a protected route, even on foot.
