The conclave is underway. The start at 16.30. The first smoke around 7pm
“Extra Omnes”, all out.
Today the conclave begins which will lead to the election of the new Pope. It will be the historic Latin formula, pronounced by the master of ceremonies, Monsignor Diego Ravelli, to mark the official start of the process: with the key closure – cum clave – of the Sistine Chapel, the 133 cardinal voters, all the purple with less than eighty years, will be isolated from the outside world until the decision took place.
The first smoke is expected not before 7pm. The director of the Vatican press room, Matteo Bruni, specified this, explaining that this afternoon, after the entry into Sistine scheduled for 16.30, the catechesis of Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the oath and therefore the first vote will be held.
From tomorrow, Thursday, the smokes will follow a more defined calendar: in the morning at 10.30 (if white) or at 12, in the afternoon at 17.30 (if white) or around 7pm. Two smokes are scheduled per day, but in the event of a positive outcome, the signal will be anticipated compared to the end of the session.
