Cardinals gathered in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning for the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass. The special service took place ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, following Pope Francis’s death on 21 April.
The Mass was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and included 133 cardinal electors. Other cardinals, aged over 80 and therefore not eligible to vote, also joined the service alongside some 5,000 worshippers.
Thousands more watched the Mass on large screens in Saint Peter’s Square, according to Vatican media.
Cardinal Re reminded his fellow cardinals of the global expectations facing the Church.
“Today’s world expects a lot from the Church to safeguard those fundamental human and spiritual values,” he said.
He warned that without such values, “human coexistence will neither be better, nor a bearer of good for future generations.”
He also asked for guidance from above.
“May the Blessed Virgin Mary…intervene so the Holy Spirit may enlighten the minds of the cardinal electors,” he said. He added that the future pope must “grow communion among peoples and cultures.”
The conclave will hold first round of voting today
Later in the day, the cardinals will leave their Vatican residence and process to the Sistine Chapel.
There, the Conclave will formally begin with an oath, a catechesis by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, and the first round of voting.
The first smoke signal will rise from the Sistine Chapel chimney after 7:00 p.m., according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
Two smoke signals will follow each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, until a pope is chosen. If a new pope is elected on Thursday morning, white smoke may rise around 10:30 a.m. Similarly, if elected during the afternoon session, white smoke will rise at 5:30 p.m.
Also read: What happens when a pope dies
