Cardinals attend final mass in the Vatican ahead of the conclave to elect new pope

7 May, Vatican

Cardinals from around the world gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to attend the final Mass.

The College of Cardinals met at St. Peter’s Basilica today for a solemn Mass, the start of the conclave to choose the 267th pope after Pope Francis died on April 21. The liturgy was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College, who called on the 133 cardinal-electors to put unity and spiritual guidance first in their deliberations.

The tradition-filled conclave officially commenced as cardinals marched into the Sistine Chapel. They swore an oath of secrecy and began the voting for a new pope, who must receive a two-thirds majority, 89 votes, to be elected. The 70 countries represented by the cardinals mirror the diversity of the worldwide Catholic Church, with heavy Global South representation a reflection of Pope Francis’ success in broadening church leadership.

To keep the integrity of the conclave intact, the Vatican has made its security arrangements tight. The Sistine Chapel has been equipped with high technology to banish any type of communication with the outside world, such as signal jammers and surveillance countermeasures. The Cardinals have been quartered in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, and there have been further accommodations due to the historic number of electors.

Some possible successors include Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Peter Erdo, each with diverse views and experiences. The next pope will encounter urgent issues to address, ranging from the clerical abuse situation to steering the course of the Church’s future, finding the balance between tradition and the reforms put in place by Pope Francis.

The conclave will go through as many as four rounds of voting on day two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The result of each round will be indicated by the color of smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black for an inconclusive vote and white to announce the election of a new pope. The faithful across the world wait for the moment when the bells will ring out with “Habemus Papam!” announcing the name of the new pontiff.

While the cardinals ponder, the international Catholic faithful observes with optimism and expectation, praying for a pastor who will lead the Church through the issues of today with prudence and heart.

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