Papal Conclave Begins Today In Vatican

The papal conclave to elect the Catholic Church's 267th pope is set to begin today, May 7, at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The Vatican has reportedly confirmed that all 133 cardinal electors expected to participate have arrived in Rome. The eligible cardinals, all under the age of 80, will continue voting until one name receives the support of two-thirds of the electors.

On day one of the conclave, the cardinals will take part in a morning mass at St Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon, they will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secretive ballot. Upon entering the Sistine Chapel, cardinals are cut off from all outside communication until a new pope is elected. They also take an oath of absolute secrecy before sealing the doors. During the first afternoon of the conclave, only one round of voting is scheduled. In the subsequent days, the Cardinals will participate in as many as four voting sessions per day. Importantly, a two-thirds majority is needed to confirm a new pope. The voting process involves each cardinal writing, in Latin, "I elect as Supreme Pontiff" on a ballot, followed by the name of their chosen candidate.

But this time, the world's attention is fixed not on modern announcements like press conferences or social media but on the smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney. When white smoke rises, it signifies the election of a new pope. Black smoke means the cardinals haven't made a decision yet. Chemical additives to the burning ballots produce the two smoke colours. In the days leading up to the conclave, experts practise smoke tests to confirm the chimney works during the actual event.

Once one candidate has secured the required majority, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he agrees with his election. If accepted, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before appearing on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.