Conclave: What to expect in the hours (and possibly days) ahead
The cardinal electors, including Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, have entered the Sistine Chapel and taken a solemn oath, vowing to conduct themselves honestly and in secrecy, and “to affirm and defend with courage the spiritual and temporal rights and the freedom of the Holy See.”
With the words, “Extra omnes!” the master of ceremonies then ordered everyone not involved in the conclave to leave the chapel.
Once the doors closed, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, longtime preacher of the papal household (now retired) and a non-voter, spoke to the cardinals about the gravity of their duties.
His words and the following events of the conclave, including any discussions or vote tallies, will remain secret. Since the rules of the conclave are laid out, however, we do have some idea of what to expect in the coming hours and, possibly, days ahead as we await a signal from the chimney recently installed atop the Sistine Chapel.
The first vote will be taken this evening, Rome time, with the first smoke signal (white if a pope has been elected, black if the voting must continue) expected to appear sometime after 1:30 p.m., eastern time.
If no pope is elected on the first vote, the cardinals will leave the chapel and return to their temporary accommodations at Casa Santa Marta and “Old Santa Marta” for the evening. Work will then continue on Thursday morning.
Below is a possible schedule, courtesy of OSV News, of what to expect in the coming days. The timing is, of course, only an estimate:
Featured image: People watch a screen in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican as cardinals from around the world gather in the Sistine Chapel May 7, 2025, on the first day of the conclave to elect the next pope. (OSV News photo/Amanda Perobelli, Reuters)
