Following the “Pro eligendo Pontifice” Mass celebrated this morning, May 7, the cardinals proceeded from the Casa Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace for the start of the Conclave, processing into the Sistine Chapel while chanting hymns and prayers.
The oath commenced with the singing of the “Veni Creator,” followed by each voting cardinal individually and personally taking the oath.
Once the oath was completed, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations pronounced “Extra Omnes,” Latin for “Everyone out!”—a solemn phrase marking a crucial moment in the Conclave’s commencement. With these words, all individuals not entitled to participate in the papal election were ordered to leave immediately.
“Extra Omnes” is not merely a ritual phrase; it signifies the beginning of the total isolation of the cardinal electors, who are sequestered without external contact to discern in prayer and deliberation who will be the new Successor of Peter. From that moment, absolute confidentiality is ensured.
Voting and Smoke Signals
This afternoon, the first vote of the Conclave will take place, followed by the first smoke signal. In each scrutiny, at the moment of depositing the ballot, each cardinal must pronounce aloud the following oath:
“I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will judge me, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.”
As the process of electing the new Pope continues until white smoke appears, the cardinals will leave Casa Santa Marta each morning, celebrate Mass and Lauds in the Pauline Chapel, then proceed to the Sistine Chapel for the Midday Prayer, where the necessary votes will be held throughout the day.
The day’s activities conclude in the late afternoon with Vespers in the Sistine Chapel, followed by the cardinals’ return to Casa Santa Marta.
A More International Conclave
The cardinal electors are members of the College of Cardinals who, being under 80 years old, have the right and duty to participate in the Conclave to elect the new Pope.
This Conclave includes 133 cardinal electors from 71 countries, reflecting the Church’s diversity and universality.
The geographical composition of the cardinal electors in 2025 is as follows:
- Europe: 52 cardinals (39%)
- America: 37 cardinals (28%)
- North America: 20
- South America: 17
- Asia: 23 cardinals (17%)
- Africa: 17 cardinals (13%)
- Oceania: 4 cardinals (3%)
- This distribution shows a growing balance, with significant representation from Asia and Africa—regions where the Church has experienced notable growth in recent decades.
Pope Francis has significantly influenced the composition of the College of Cardinals, appointing approximately 80% of the current electors. His approach has been to promote a more inclusive and global Church, incorporating cardinals from countries previously unrepresented in the Conclave, such as Haiti, Cape Verde, Papua New Guinea, Sweden, Luxembourg, and South Sudan.
This Conclave is one of the most diverse in the Church’s history, with cardinal electors from 71 countries.
Photo: Vatican Media
