Video: 133 cardinals attend final mass in St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of conclave to elect new Pope

Abdullateef Fowewe

On Wednesday, Catholic cardinals gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica for a solemn Mass just hours before entering the conclave to select a new pope.

Video link: 133 cardinals attend final mass in St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of conclave to elect new Pope

The 133 cardinal-electors processed into the basilica accompanied by choral music, signifying the official start of the papal election process.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrated the Mass, beginning the liturgy by swinging a censer around the altar and blessing a statue of the Virgin Mary.

After the Mass, the cardinals will move to the Sistine Chapel to begin their private discussions aimed at selecting a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.

Traditionally, papal elections are not concluded on the first day, and the voting may extend over several days.

The cardinals will cast only one vote on Wednesday, but starting Thursday, they may vote up to four times daily until a candidate secures the required two-thirds majority to become the 267th pope.

Signals of the outcome will be visible from the chapel’s chimney: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke accompanied by ringing bells will announce that a new pope has been chosen to lead the Church’s 1.4 billion faithful.