The first smoke of the conclave is revealed — and its color says it all. No pope has ever been elected in the first round of voting. This round is usually considered a preliminary round or a test vote. Still, thousands of people gathered in the square — some out of devotion, others out of curiosity.
Starting on the second day, the main candidates usually begin to emerge, and a new pope may even be elected. This was the case in the conclaves of Pope Francis, Benedict XVI, and John Paul I.
Earlier in the day, the solemn entrance of the cardinal electors into the Sistine Chapel took place. The procession began from the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
Once inside, the cardinal leading the rite, Cardinal Parolin, sang the conclave’s most iconic hymn: the “Veni Creator Spiritus,” invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance in choosing the successor of the Peter.
Next, the 133 cardinal electors, one by one, took the oath of the conclave — pledging to maintain secrecy during and after the conclave unless released by the new pontiff, and to avoid any external influences attempting to sway the papal election.
When the last in line, Indian Cardinal Koovakad, took the oath, the Master of Liturgical Celebrations, Diego Ravelli, pronounced the famous words:
And thus began the third conclave of the 21st century.
JRB
Trans. CRT
