Preparations for Papal Election in Full Swing

So far, the cardinals have only met once a day. However, the fact that two meetings are scheduled for Monday is interpreted by insiders as an indication that the cardinals consider further discussions on the requirements for the successor to Pope Francis necessary.

Final preparations for papal election are being made

In the Vatican, the final preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope were made on Monday. The staff supporting the cardinals during the conclave took an oath of secrecy on Monday afternoon. The ceremony was attended by, among others, doctors, table service, and the cleaning crew. Those who do not adhere to the confidentiality obligation face excommunication, according to the Vatican. The conclave will be a major media event. TV cameras have been positioned by Vatican Television CTV on the roof of the Sistine and Pauline Chapels as well as on St. Peter's Basilica. Media representatives from all over the world have been accredited by the Vatican; media in two dozen languages are registered in total.

Papal election: Cardinals move into Santa Marta guesthouse

On Wednesday morning, the cardinals will move into the Santa Marta guesthouse, where they will stay during the conclave. The electoral assembly begins on Wednesday afternoon. Before the 133 electors enter the Sistine Chapel at around 4:30 PM, a special mass for a good papal election ("Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice") is scheduled for 10 AM. The papal electors will vote during the conclave in the Sistine Chapel behind closed doors. The Vatican and the city of Rome are taking the strongest security measures for the conclave. The area around the Vatican will be extensively cordoned off from Wednesday. The highest security measures apply not only in the Vatican but also in the other three jubilee basilicas and especially the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Francis' tomb is located. To coordinate the security measures, the police chief of Rome, Roberto Massucci, convened a technical meeting on Monday morning.

Mourning period for Pope Francis comes to an end

In St. Peter's Basilica, a final funeral mass for Pope Francis was celebrated on Sunday afternoon. The service marked the end of the nine-day mourning period in the Vatican for the deceased Pontiff. The French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti praised Francis' "intense pastoral life" in his sermon. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, after attending the Easter Mass in the Vatican the day before and giving the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. The following Saturday, Francis was buried in the presence of heads of state and government from around the world. On this day, the traditional mourning period known as "Novendiale" began.

133 Cardinals Vote in Papal Election

At the conclave in the Sistine Chapel, 133 cardinals eligible to vote are participating. When a new pope is elected, white smoke rises, and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica ring. Mamberti will then announce from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in his role as Cardinal Protodeacon: "Habemus Papam" ("We have a Pope"). Subsequently, the new pope will appear on the balcony and give the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing ("To the City and the World") for the first time.

The new pope must "be a shepherd and a credible person and Christian, regardless of his geographical origin," emphasized the emeritus Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, on Sunday in an interview with APA in Rome. "It is important that the new pope is attentive to the needs and joys of the people, that he feels a deep love for God and people. People can sense whether he speaks empty words or truly lives the faith," said the Cardinal, who is participating in the General Congregations on Monday. Schönborn, already 80 years old, is not participating in the conclave due to age.

Meanwhile, the papal tailor, Raniero Mancinelli, has delivered three complete papal robes to the Vatican - in sizes Small, Medium, and Large. "They were made of light wool," Mancinelli emphasized according to media reports on Monday. It is not only about the size but also the width. The smallest garment is intended for a man about 1.65 meters tall, the others for a height of 1.70 and 1.80 meters. Each papal robe includes a hat, cloak, sash, cassock, red shoes, and more.

(APA/Red)

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