133 Cardinals gathers for special mass ahead of conclave to elect new Pope

Catholic cardinals gathered on Wednesday at St. Peter’s Basilica for a solemn Mass just hours before entering the conclave to elect a new pope.

A total of 133 cardinal-electors processed into the basilica to the sound of choral music, marking the formal beginning of the papal election process.

The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who began the liturgy by swinging a censer around the altar and blessing a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Following the Mass, the cardinals will proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where they will begin their closed-door deliberations to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.

Traditionally, papal elections are not decided on the first day, and voting could stretch over several days.

The cardinals will cast only one vote on Wednesday, but starting Thursday, they may vote up to four times daily until a candidate secures the required two-thirds majority to become the 267th pope.

Signals of the outcome will be visible from the chapel’s chimney: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke accompanied by ringing bells will announce that a new pope has been chosen to lead the Church’s 1.4 billion faithful. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>