Catholic Cardinals Convene to Elect New Pope: Live Updates

In a significant gathering at the Vatican, Catholic cardinals are assembling to select the successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. This election will take place within the sacred walls of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will continue casting votes until a candidate obtains a decisive two-thirds majority.

Should the process extend beyond three days without a clear resolution, the voting is temporarily paused for a day, offering the cardinal electors a period for contemplation. Historically, no conclave has endured more than four days since 1831.

At the conclusion of each voting cycle, smoke billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel will provide a signal. Dark smoke, known as 'fumata nera' in Italian, signifies that no decision has been made, whereas white smoke, or 'fumata bianca,' along with the pealing of St. Peter's Basilica's bells, will announce the election of a new pope.

Current Highlights:

A congregation of hundreds of Catholic cardinals, with 133 participating in the voting, has convened at the Vatican to commence the papal election process on Wednesday.

The election day will begin with the cardinals attending a mass at St. Peter's Basilica, scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET).

Subsequently, at around 4:15 p.m., the 133 voting cardinals will proceed to the Pauline Chapel, before entering the Sistine Chapel to take formal oaths approximately at 4:30 p.m.

The official commencement of the conclave will be managed by the master of ceremonies, expected to begin around 5 p.m.