The Conclave begins

Today, the Holy Mass for the election of the Roman Pontiff, called the “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass, is underway inside the Vatican.

As reported by the CNN, tt opened with a striking procession of the College of Cardinals, in order of seniority, slowly walking through St. Peter’s Basilica towards the altar. They each took turns kissing the altar before fanning out to take their seats under the splendor of the basilica.

The last person who entered, as the report has it further, was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who will deliver the Homily. Re, who is 91 and therefore ineligible to vote in the conclave, also delivered the homily at the late Pope Francis’ funeral.

‘The first reading of the Mass will be the same as the one delivered in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013.

Before voting begins, the College of Cardinals will gather for a special mass at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The service, known as “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice,” will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals.

During the service, Cardinal Re will deliver a homily — the result of conversations with the cardinals gathered in Rome since Pope Francis’ death — expounding the church’s priorities for the next papacy.

At around midday, the cardinals will break for a long lunch and a final period of reflection.

At 4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. ET), the cardinals will begin their elaborate procession into the Sistine Chapel. Once seated beneath Michelangelo’s fresco, the cardinals will chant “Spiritus Sanctus,” a Latin hymn. In a final ritual, all 133 cardinals will swear both a collective and individual oath, pledging perpetual secrecy about the papal election.

The chapel will then enter “extra omnes,” meaning “everybody out.” The doors of the chapel will close to outsiders, leaving the cardinals to cast their ballots.

Then begins a waiting game. If white smoke billows from the chapel’s chimney, this means a new pope has been chosen — and he will be revealed to the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

If the smoke is black, it means no cardinal has garnered two thirds of the votes. A second round — and potentially a third, fourth and fifth — would then be held Thursday.

Seventeen days ago, on Easter Monday, Pope Francis died at the age of 88. Twelve days ago, at Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, the world bid farewell to a beloved pontiff.

Today, the Catholic Church will begin again on the centuries-old ritual of choosing its new leader, in a highly choreographed and secretive process known as “the conclave.”

Meaning “with key” in Latin, the name “conclave” nods to how cardinals are locked in the Sistine Chapel while a new pope was selected.

Since Francis’ funeral, the 133 cardinals who will choose his successor have spent their days discussing, campaigning and getting to know all the potential contenders.

Voting begins this afternoon. If a cardinal receives more than two-thirds of the vote, we will have a new pope. If none does, voting will resume Thursday.’