Began the secret conclave for the pope’s choice (video)
The Catholic cardinals who will choose the next pope began the procession of entry into the Sistine chapel, on Wednesday, before being isolated from the world to choose the one of them who hopes he will be able to unite a diverse, but divided global Catholic church.
Within a ritual dating from the medieval era, 133 Cardinals electors take the oath to keep the secret on their deliberations forever, under the severe look of Christ, represented in the fresco of Michelangelo, who adorns the Sistine Chapel.
They then organize the first round to choose a successor of Pope Francis, who died last month.
For centuries, no pope has been chosen on the first day of a conclave, and the vote could continue for several days before a single cardinal would get the majority of two-thirds to become the 267 Sovereign Pontiff.
On Wednesday there will be a single poll tour. Subsequently, there may be up to four ballots per day.
The cardinals slowly entered the chapel, participating in a solemn enchantment in Latin, called ‘Litany of Saints’.
They have implored almost 100 men and women who are believed to live in Heaven to pray for them as they prepare to adopt what will undoubtedly be the most important decision in their lives.
