The conclave to elect a new Pope as head of the Catholic Church is underway at Vatican City. Over 1.2 billion of the faithful are now awaiting to hear the decision of the 115 cardinals who will cast their ballots during deliberations at the Sistine Chapel.
Dressed in crimson, the cardinals and hundreds of priests from around the world held Holy Mass at St. Peter's Basilica earlier today before the cardinals made their way to the chapel to take an oath of secrecy and to officially begin the conclave. A vote is expected today but historically the conclave is a two to three day process.
2:43 p.m.:
Black smoke can been seen billowing out of the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals have not elected a pope.
2:27 p.m.:
A video of the never before broadcasted procession of cardinals into the Sistine Chapel for the conclave has been released on YouTube.
2:20 p.m.:The Catholic News Service has tweeted that a Vatican spokesperson said that the cardinals do not have to cast vote tonight. However, reports and historical precedent indicates a vote is highly likely.
Cardinals in #conclave can't know there already are thousands in the square waiting to see if they vote tonight & how it went
— Catholic News Svc (@CatholicNewsSvc) March 12, 2013
2:11 p.m.: The first vote is expected to come to a close before the end of the hour. The world will know depending on the color of the smoke emitted from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. White smokes means a decision has been reached. A live stream of the chimney can be seen at BBC.
12:45 p.m.: The cardinals are expected to cast their votes over the next two hours. The vote is expected to be complete around 2:30 p.m. and if white smoke billows out the chimney atop the chapel a decision has been reached. No pope has been elected on the first vote.
12:36 p.m.:
Msgr. Marini closes the door to the Sistine Chapel. We'll see no more until #conclave ends and one emerges as pope. — Catholic News Svc (@CatholicNewsSvc) March 12, 2013
12:33 p.m.: The doors to the Sistine Chapel are about to close.
Msgr Marini orders "extra omnes." — Catholic News Svc (@CatholicNewsSvc) March 12, 2013
12:30 p.m.: For information about what happens when the cardinals elect the pope:
CNS Rome bureau: What happens when cardinals elect a pope:bit.ly/ZFElxj #CNSstory — Catholic News Svc (@CatholicNewsSvc) March 12, 2013
12:25 p.m.: The archbishop of São Paulo in Brazil, Odilo Scherer, is considered to be among the contenders. His home country has the highest population of practicing Catholics in the world.
12:21 p.m.: Cardinal Dolan of New York just took his oath. Dolan has been discussed as a potential front runner by the American press.
12:03 p.m.: For explanations of proceedings follow the Catholic News Service on twitter where up to the minute tweets provide thorough detailed information about the conclave.
Cardinals, 1 by 1, go up to Gospels & say, “So help me God and these holy Gospels that I touch with my hand." #conclave — Catholic News Svc (@CatholicNewsSvc) March 12, 2013
11:56 a.m.:
The Sistine Chapel is set as the cardinals are now standing and taking the oath of secrecy to ensure that the happenings of the conclave proceedings do not leave the chapel.
11:43 a.m.:
The cardinals are taking their seats and are preparing to begin as the doors to the Sistine Chapel are about to close. A live stream of the events at Vatican City can be seen below.
11:37 a.m.:
The schedule of today's events at the conclave can be seen below.
Today's Schedule for the Conclave as reported by the Guardian, note all times are eastern standard time:
2am EST: The 115 "cardinal electors" moved into the St Martha's House residence inside the Vatican walls where they will eat and sleep cut off from the outside world for the duration of the conclave.
5am EST: Cardinals took part in a special "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice" ("For the Election of the Roman Pontiff") mass in St Peter's Basilica.
10.45am EST: Cardinals either walk or take a minibus in strict isolation through the Vatican gardens from St Martha's House to the Apostolic Palace.
11.30am EST: Cardinals hold a procession through the Apostolic Palace from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel as they chant the Litany of Saints.
11.45am EST: Cardinals swear not to reveal details of their deliberations on pain of excommunication. Any staff are ordered to leave the chapel with the Latin phrase "Extra Omnes" and a prayer is read before the first vote is expected to be taken.
2.15pm EST: Smoke is expected if a vote has been taken. Cardinals recite vespers to conclude their first session.
2.30pm EST: Cardinals return to St Martha's House.
3pm EST: Cardinals have their first conclave dinner.
Tomorrow and successive days until the conclave concludes
1.30am EST-2.30am EST: Breakfast at St Martha's.
2.45am EST: Departure for Apostolic Palace.
3.15am EST: Mass in the Pauline Chapel.
4.30am EST: Prayers and voting in Sistine Chapel.
7.30am EST: Departure for St Martha's.
8am EST: Lunch. Smoke is expected at about this time.
11am EST: Departure for Sistine Chapel.
11.50am EST: Prayers and voting in Sistine Chapel. Smoke will follow the second vote.
2.15pm EST: Vespers in the Sistine Chapel.
2.30pm EST: Departure for St Martha's.
3pm EST: Dinner. Smoke is expected at about this time.
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