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Conclave: black smoke from the Sistine Chapel, no election Live Video

Update 9pm: black smoke, as expected, from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Tomorrow two votes in the morning and then, if there is no election, two more in the afternoon

First smoke soon. After the death of Pope Francis, the 133 cardinal electors gathered to choose the 267th Pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church

Wednesday 7 May saw the official opening of the Conclave that will lead to the election of the new Pope, successor to Francis, who died on 21 April. All eyes are on the chimney of the Sistine Chapel waiting for the first smoke, although it is already considered very unlikely that it will be white this evening.

The election of the 267th Pope in history is underway
The solemn moment began in the afternoon with the traditional ‘Extra Omnes’, pronounced by the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations. At 4.30pm the 133 cardinal electors entered the Sistine Chapel for the first vote. The Conclave proper thus began, although the day had begun with another important rite.

Mass ‘pro eligendo Papa’ and the oath of office
At 10 a.m., in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Mass ‘pro eligendo Papa’ was celebrated, presided over by Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re, who did not take part in the election. Just before the ‘Extra Omnes’, the cardinals pronounced the solemn oath in Latin, placing their hand on the Gospel with the ritual formula:
‘Et ego cardinalis… spondeo, voveo ac iuro. Sic me Deus adiuvet et haec sancta Dei evangelia quae manu mea tango.’
(“And I, a cardinal… promise, oblige and swear. So God help me and these holy Gospels I touch with my hand.”).

Waiting for the smoke
Although the first vote is unlikely to lead to the election of the new Pontiff, the anticipation for the smoke remains charged with emotion. Thousands of faithful have already gathered in St. Peter’s Square, witnessing a moment that marks a new passage in the millennial history of the Catholic Church.