Catholic cardinals attended a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, May 7, just a few hours before starting the secret vote (conclave) to choose a new pope.
A total of 133 cardinals, who are allowed to vote, filed into the basilica in a formal procession to music being sung by a choir.
The Mass was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who opened proceedings by swinging a censer with incense around the altar and blessing a statue of the Virgin Mary.
After the Mass, the cardinals will move to the Vatican’s frescoed Sistine Chapel, where they will begin the private conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.
No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries, so voting could continue for several days before one of the red-hatted princes of the Church receives the necessary two-thirds majority to become the 267th pontiff.
There will be only one ballot on Wednesday. Thereafter, the cardinals can vote as many as four times a day.
Black smoke from a chimney on the roof of the chapel will mark an inconclusive vote, while white smoke and the pealing of bells will signal that the 1.4-billion-member Church has a new leader.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.