Sistine Chapel Closed For Conclave To Elect New Pope

[craig nigrelli]

IN ROME, THE VATICAN HAS NOW CLOSED THE SISTINE CHAPEL WHERE CATHOLIC CARDINALS WILL GATHER FOR THE CONCLAVE TO ELECT THE NEXT POPE.

THIS IS THE NEXT STEP AFTER THE FUNERAL AND BURIAL OF POPE FRANCIS ON SATURDAY, AS THE NINE-DAY MOURNING PERIOD CONTINUES FOLLOWING THE PONTIFF’S DEATH LAST MONDAY.

PEOPLE WILL BE KEEPING AN ON THE CHIMNEY WHERE BALLOTS WILL BE BURNED AFTER THE VOTES.

THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG THE CONCLAVE WILL LAST.  IT IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONDAY MAY 5TH AT THE EARLIEST.

THERE ARE 253 CARDINALS BUT ONLY 138 ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 80.

WHEN THE CONCLAVE BEGINS, CARDINALS WILL CHANT THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS AS THEY FILE INTO THE CHAPEL AND THEN TAKE AN OATH OF SECRECY.  THE CHAPEL’S DOUBLE DOORS WILL THEN CLOSE.

ONCE THE CARDINALS CHOOSE  A POPE, WHITE SMOKE WILL RISE FROM THE CHIMNEY AND BELLS WILL TOLL.