VATICAN CITY (AP) – With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88, the Vatican has shifted its focus from tourism to a critical moment in Catholic leadership: the conclave to elect his successor. The Sistine Chapel has been closed to visitors as preparations commence for this significant event.
On Saturday, Pope Francis was laid to rest following an elaborate funeral in St. Peter's Square attended by world leaders and hundreds of thousands of mourners. A nine-day period of mourning is currently underway, which precedes the start of the conclave. This solemn gathering of cardinals is expected to begin between May 5 and May 10, in accordance with church law stipulating the mourning period.
The Sistine Chapel, renowned for its breathtaking art, will be transformed to accommodate the cardinal electors who will gather to select the next leader of the 1.4 billion members of the Catholic Church. One key task in preparation involves the installation of a chimney where ballots will be burned after each voting session. Visitors lucky enough to enter the chapel before its closure expressed their gratitude for having the opportunity to witness its beauty.
For example, Sumon Khan, a tourist from the United States, remarked, "I think we felt very lucky to be able to be the last group of visitors to come in today. You know, our trip would not have been complete without seeing this beautiful place."
During the conclave, the cardinals will engage in a traditional and secretive process described as being guided by the Holy Spirit, leading to the election of a new pope. This choice will be pivotal, determining whether the new pontiff will continue the reforms initiated by Pope Francis, which emphasized care for the poor, marginalized communities, and environmental issues, or adopt a more conservative approach akin to that of predecessors like Benedict XVI, who focused primarily on doctrinal matters.
The decision-making cardinals will find inspiration in the chapel's exquisite frescoes, including Michelangelo's iconic work, "Creation of Adam," which depicts God imparting the divine spark of life to humanity. The Sistine Chapel was commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV in the 15th century and later adorned with masterpieces by Michelangelo, including the ceiling artwork created between 1508 and 1512 and the "Last Judgment" painted on one of its walls.
As the conclave commences, the cardinals will chant the Litany of Saints, a solemn Gregorian chant, as they enter the chapel and pledge to maintain the confidentiality of the proceedings. The thick double doors will close behind them, followed by the pronouncement of "Extra omnes," meaning "everyone out," marking the beginning of a process designed to shield the voting from outside influence.
The world will await signals from the conclave regarding the outcome of the election. If black smoke emerges from the chimney, it signifies that the cardinals have not yet reached the two-thirds majority needed to elect a new pope. Conversely, the appearance of white smoke, accompanied by ringing bells, will announce the selection of a new pontiff.
This moment marks a crucial transition in the Catholic Church, with the potential for significant theological and social implications based on the choices made during the conclave.
