The cardinals have sealed themselves inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City for the conclave — officially beginning their cloak-and-dagger deliberations to decide the new pope.
“Extra omnes,” a Vatican official declared Wednesday beneath dramatic biblical frescoes painted by the likes of Michelangelo and Botticelli, prompting everyone except the 133 voting cardinals to exit the chamber so the centuries-old ritual could commence.
The chapel’s carved wooden double-doors were then closed, as applause from the faithful public in St. Peter’s Square echoed across the city.
Catholic cardinals file into the Sistine Chapel ahead of the conclave on May 7, 2025.
The cardinals will have no contact with the outside world as they decide on the next pope. Reuters
The cardinals take an oath of secrecy after Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Reuters
It in unclear how long the conclave will last. Reuters
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan takes the oath as the conclave begins. Reuters
Faithful pray at St. Peter’s Square as the conclave starts. REUTERS
All eyes are now on the chapel’s chimney to await the smoke signal reporting results from the first vote, expected Wednesday night local time.
Helmeted papal Swiss guards were stationed outside the door — armed with spear-tipped halberd axes — while the shadow of the official’s feet could be seen beneath as he sealed the door from within.
Before the doors were shut, leaders of the Catholic church from over 70 countries – the largest conclave in history — filed into the 15th century Sistine Chapel and — wearing robes from their various sects — lined up to take an oath vowing utmost secrecy during the vote proceedings.
“I, the cardinal, promise, vow and swear, so help me God and these holy gospels of God which I touch with my hand,” the cardinals spoke in Latin while placing their gold-ringed right hand on a copy of the Gospels, and then taking a seat.
The next time the world sees the cardinals again, white smoke will be billowing from the chapel chimney and there will be a new pope.
A conclave is a meeting between cardinals that will privately select a new pope.
133 cardinals from around the world have entered the Sistine Chapel for the selection process, and will be the most geographically diverse in history.
The process could last several days, with the average duration based on the past conclaves lasting roughly three days.
Ballots will be cast beginning at 4:30 p.m., and a chimney will carry white smoke to announce that a new pope has been chosen, or black if inconclusive. A two-thirds majority vote is required to pick a successor.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli closes the doors of the Sistine Chapel. Reuters
A nun sheds a tear in St. Peter’s Square in anticipation of a new pope in Vatican City. Getty Images
A giant screen at St. Peter’s Basilica shows cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel during the conclave. AP
With the Sistine Chapel doors shut, the cardinals have no contact with the outside world until they decide who among them will succeed Pope Francis.
The punishment for violating their oath of secrecy is immediate excommunication from the church.
It is unclear how long this conclave will last. The previous ten averaged three days, with the 2013 selection of Pope Francis lasting two. And none in modern times have gone longer than five days.
Members of the media work on a platform at St. Peter’s Square as the conclave begins. AFP via Getty Images
The main central loggia balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica where the new pope will appear for the first time, once cardinals end the conclave. AFP via Getty Images
Wednesday’s session will allow for one vote, while all following days will allow up to four rounds of voting.
The cardinals famously communicate to the outside world using only smoke signals – black smoke meaning no cardinal received two-thirds support, white meaning a new pope has been chosen.
The chimney of the Sistine Chapel ahead of the start of the conclave to elect a new pope, in the Vatican, on May 7, 2025.
The closing of the Sistine Chapel door after the “Extra omnes,” where the conclave for the election of the new pope takes place. VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
People stand at the Vatican, as a screen shows a clergy member closing the door at the Sistine Chapel. REUTERS
After Pope Francis’ tenure was marked by reforms in the church – and strong pushback from traditionalists — the cardinals are expected to strive for a speedy conclave to give an impression of unity to the world.
About 80% of the cardinals participating were appointed by Pope Francis, meaning the likelihood is high that his successor will continue his progressive policies.
That also means a majority of the cardinals voting this year have never participated in a conclave before.
Secrecy protocols are paramount at the ceremony, with the Vatican using high-tech measures like signal jamming devices to prevent any communication with the outside world – and to prevent the outside world from covertly listening in.
The oath of secrecy extends even beyond the cardinals — with everybody in the Vatican, from cooks to elevator operators and beyond, vowing Monday to keep their lips sealed about the preparations.
Wednesday’s conclave was preceded by a public mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
It comes after a required period of morning that was sparked after Pope Francis’ death on April 21.