How does the conclave begin?
It begins with a Mass for the election of the Holy See that will be celebrated in the Vatican Basilica. At 4:30 pm local time (2100 IST) on April 18, the procession of cardinal electors will leave the Hall of Blessings for the Sistine Chapel. Once in the Chapel, all the cardinal electors will swear the oath. The cardinal dean will read the formula of the oath, after which each cardinal, stating his name and placing his hand on the Gospel, will pronounce the words: ‘I promise, pledge and swear.’ The cardinals then also take another oath: — ‘Whichever of us by divine disposition is elected Roman Pontiff will commit himself faithfully to carrying out the Munus Petrinum (office of St Peter, the first Pope) of the Pastor of the Universal Church.’ The men who could be Pope Whois the cardinal dean? Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a German who is the Dean of the College of Cardinals, presides over the conclave. Pope at 25 Where do the cardinals stay during the conclave? The cardinals will stay thr
