Cardinals Convene Conclave to Elect New Pope After Pope Francis's Passing

The Conclave Begins

• 🔒 133 cardinals, all under the age of 80 and eligible to vote, have entered the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave.
• 📱 Cardinals have handed over their phones and are in total seclusion to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
• ⛪ The process began with a final public mass in St. Peter's Basilica, followed by a final appeal from the dean of the college of cardinals for unity and the good of the church.

Election Process and Timeline

• 🗳️ The cardinals will take an initial vote today, with up to four votes per day (two in the morning, two in the afternoon) until a new pope is elected.
• ⏳ While some experts anticipate a short conclave, the longest in history took two years in the 13th century.
• 🗣️ The dean urged electors to set aside personal interests and focus on Jesus Christ and the good of the church and humanity.

Identifying the New Pope

• 💨 White smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel will signal the election of a new pope.
• ⚠️ Chemicals are being used to ensure the smoke color is clear (white or black), avoiding confusion from previous conclaves where gray smoke caused uncertainty.
• 🙏 Some faithful hope the next pontiff will follow Pope Francis's legacy and help heal a divided world.