Prior to the beginning of the Conclave, the Cardinal College will meet for a special mass at 10am, local time (5am, Brasília time), at the São Pedro Basilica.
The celebration, known as “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice”, will be presided by Cardinal Giovanni Re, dean of the Cardinal College.
During the celebration, the cardinal will make a homily – the result of conversations with the cardinals gathered in Rome since the death of Pope Francis – exposing the priorities of the church to the next papacy.
Around noon, the cardinals will take a break for a long lunch and a last period of reflection.
At 4:30 pm (11:30 am, Brasília time), the clerics will begin the procession towards the Sistine Chapel.
Once they will sing “Spiritus Sanctus”, a Latin anthem.
In a final ritual, all 133 cardinals will take a collective and individual oath, promising perpetual confidentiality about the papal election.
The chapel will then enter “Extra Omnnes”, ie “all out.” The doors will be closed for people outside, letting the cardinals vote.
Then begins a waiting game. If it comes out white smoke from the chaminy of the chapel, it means that a new pope was chosen – and it will be revealed to the public of the balcony of the Basilica of St. Peter.
If the smoke is black, it means that no cardinal obtained two thirds of the votes. A second round-and potentially a third, fourth and fifth-will be held on Thursday (8).
This content was originally published in cardinals participate in Mass before the beginning of the conclave on Wednesday (7) on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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