What to anticipate as we speak – timeline
Because it’s the primary day of the conclave, the timing is barely completely different than we’ll see within the following days (if, as anticipated, they’re wanted).
So, right here’s what to anticipate:
At 10am Rome time, the cardinals will collect at St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in a mass Professional eligendo Romano Pontifice, the Mass for the election of a Roman Pontiff.
At 3pm, cellular sign throughout the Vatican shall be deactivated, with all gadgets taken away from the cardinals, as they’re sequestered throughout the electoral course of.
At 4.15, they may begin a procession to the Sistine Chapel, the place they may begin their proceedings roughly fifteen minutes later, at 4.30pm.
Resulting from a late begin, we count on solely a single spherical of voting as we speak, with the end result to be introduced with black or white smoke from the chapel’s chimney round 7pm.
In the event that they fail to elect the brand new pope as we speak, they may return tomorrow morning, switching to 4 rounds of voting a day: two within the morning (10.30am, noon), and two within the night (5.30pm and 7pm), for so long as wanted.
Key occasions
New pope will face ‘troublesome and complicated’ second in historical past, however want to indicate like to enchantment to consciences of societies, senior cardinal says

Jakub Krupa
In his homily – seen as a guiding message for the 133 cardinals set to participate within the conclave – Battista Re known as for the assistance of the Holy Spirit to information cardinals in selecting the pope “that the church and humanity need at this difficult and complex … turning point in history.”
He urged them to “put aside all personal considerations” and display love, “the only force capable of changing the world.”
He additionally issued a powerful name to “maintain the unity of the church,” not by means of “uniformity,” however their “communion in diversity.”
He reminded cardinals that the election of a brand new pope is not only about “a simple change of people,” however a symbolic return of St Peter, the apostle, as he prayed for a pope “for the good of the church and of humanity.”
He additionally recalled John Paul II’s description of the conclave as “a joint concern for the legacy of the keys of the Kingdom,” recalling his needs that standing earlier than Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” within the Sistine Chapel, the electors shall be reminded of the “great responsibility of placing the great keys in the right hands.”
Battista Re mentioned he hoped the brand new pope would have the “ability to better awaken the consciences of all,” and mobilise “the moral and spiritual energies” in societies, which sometimes neglect God amid speedy technological progress.
Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the Faculty of Cardinals, is delivering his homily now; the final message to cardinals earlier than they go into the method to elect the brand new pope.
I’ll convey you the important thing quotes right here.
You may comply with the mass reside right here:
And you’ll comply with the texts right here.
Pre-conclave mass beginning within the Vatican
Because the conclave day begins, the particular mass – Mass for the election of a Roman Pontiff – is now beginning in St. Peter’s Basilica, presided by the Dean of the Faculty of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.
He’s not an elector himself – he’s 91 years outdated so above the restrict of 80 to participate within the vote – however will lead this morning’s prayers.
You may comply with all of the texts from the mass right here, in Latin, Italian and English.
After the mass, the cardinals will return to Santa Marta, have lunch, after which begin their proceedings within the Sistine Chapel.
What to anticipate as we speak – timeline
Because it’s the primary day of the conclave, the timing is barely completely different than we’ll see within the following days (if, as anticipated, they’re wanted).
So, right here’s what to anticipate:
At 10am Rome time, the cardinals will collect at St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in a mass Professional eligendo Romano Pontifice, the Mass for the election of a Roman Pontiff.
At 3pm, cellular sign throughout the Vatican shall be deactivated, with all gadgets taken away from the cardinals, as they’re sequestered throughout the electoral course of.
At 4.15, they may begin a procession to the Sistine Chapel, the place they may begin their proceedings roughly fifteen minutes later, at 4.30pm.
Resulting from a late begin, we count on solely a single spherical of voting as we speak, with the end result to be introduced with black or white smoke from the chapel’s chimney round 7pm.
In the event that they fail to elect the brand new pope as we speak, they may return tomorrow morning, switching to 4 rounds of voting a day: two within the morning (10.30am, noon), and two within the night (5.30pm and 7pm), for so long as wanted.
Morning opening: Additional omnes

Jakub Krupa
133 Catholic cardinals will meet behind the closed doorways of the Sistine Chapel for the primary time as we speak to resolve who ought to be the 267th successor of Saint Peter, following the demise of Pope Francis final month.
Probably the most fascinating electoral processes on this planet, the conclave all the time attracts world consideration – not simply due to its world significance in selecting the following head of the Catholic church main 1.4 billion devoted, but additionally due to its centuries-old traditions and mysteries.
At round 4.30pm native time, the well-known phrase “extra omnes” – all out – shall be heard contained in the Sistine Chapel telling everybody however the cardinals to go away the plenary, formally beginning the secretive election course of.
We’ll convey you all the most recent right here.
It’s Wednesday, 7 Might 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Stay.
Good morning.