Rome, May 7, 2025 — This morning at 10 a.m. (Rome time), the members of the College of Cardinals gathered in St. Peter's Basilica for the Mass “Pro eligendo Pontifice,” officially marking the beginning of the conclave. This solemn celebration was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

The 133 cardinal electors, now installed in the Saint Martha residence, will begin this afternoon the process of discernment and election of the next successor of Saint Peter. At 4:30 p.m. (Rome time), they will enter the Sistine Chapel to take the oath of the conclave, accompanied by the hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus,” invoking the Holy Spirit. The famous Latin phrase “Extra omnes” — “All of you, leave!” — will signal the beginning of the conclave's closure to the outside world.

Immediately afterwards, 90-year-old Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa will deliver a meditation on the gravity of the mission entrusted to the cardinals and on the need to act with justice and faith for the good of the universal Church. The rules of the conclave will then be recalled before a first round of voting, the only one scheduled for this first day.

A place steeped in symbolism

The Sistine Chapel, beautifully prepared for the event, has been fitted with additional seats to accommodate the 133 electors. Some cardinals will sit directly in front of Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment, a powerful work depicting the second coming of Christ and the eternal judgment of humanity.

Upon the election of a new pontiff, he will be led to the “room of tears,” so named because of the emotion often felt by the newly elected pope as he realizes the magnitude of his mission. There he will don the papal vestments, available in three sizes and adjusted on site if necessary.

Global representation

This year's conclave reflects the diversity of the Catholic Church. Of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote, 133 are present:

• Europe: 53 cardinals (40%)
• Americas: 37 (28%), including 16 from North America
• Asia: 23 (17%)
• Africa: 18 (13.5%)
• Oceania: 4 (3%)

Four Canadian cardinals are participating in the vote:

• Cardinal Thomas Collins (Toronto, emeritus) will vote in 22nd position.
• Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix (Quebec) in 32nd position.
• Cardinal Frank Leo (Toronto) in 111th position.
• Cardinal Michael Czerny (Rome) will vote in 119th position.

The voting process

Each cardinal writes the name of his candidate on a ballot, folds it, and places it in a chalice on the altar, after declaring aloud:

“I call Christ the Lord as my witness, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one I believe should be elected according to God.”

After each round, the ballots are burned. The color of the smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel informs the world: black smoke means that no pope has yet been elected; white smoke announces that a new pontiff has been chosen. For clarity, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica will also ring when white smoke appears.

If no pope is elected after three days of unsuccessful voting, a pause for prayer and reflection is planned, which may last up to one day.

A Church waiting... and praying

As the conclave begins, the whole world is invited to pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the cardinals in their discernment. The people of God enter a period of waiting filled with hope, trusting that the Lord will raise up a shepherd after his own heart to lead the Church through the challenges of our time.

We invite you to stay tuned for further updates and to join us in prayer:

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”

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We warmly thank Neil MacCarthy, director of public relations and communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, currently in Rome, for the valuable resources and information he has generously shared with us. His timely updates and contributions have greatly enriched our communications. We also thank Vatican News for the photos accompanying this report.