Today, approximately 133 cardinals will assemble in the Sistine Chapel in Rome to begin the solemn process of electing the next pope.
The cardinals will enter the chapel in a ceremonial procession, chanting the “Litany of the Saints” and the Latin hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus,” calling on the saints and the Holy Spirit for divine guidance in choosing the new leader of the Catholic Church.
Once inside, the cardinals take an oath of secrecy, vowing to keep all proceedings confidential and to resist any form of outside influence or interference in the voting process. Following this, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa will offer a spiritual reflection before Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of papal liturgical ceremonies, announces “Extra omnes” — Latin for “everyone out” — signaling that all non-voters must leave and the chapel doors are sealed.
The election process is governed by strict church protocols. Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot that reads, Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”). As they cast their votes individually, each cardinal solemnly declares, “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.
The first round of voting is expected to take place by Wednesday evening. If no candidate receives the required two-thirds majority, black smoke will rise from the Sistine Chapel chimney around 7 p.m., signaling that a new pope has not yet been chosen.
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