133 Cardinals Begin Largest Ever Conclave in Sistine Chapel on May 7 to Elect New Pope

All 133 cardinal electors, representing 70 countries across five continents, have arrived in Rome for the papal conclave to choose the next pope. The conclave, described as the largest ever, is set to start on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel, which will be closed to the public during the voting process. The cardinals participated in a final mass at St. Peter's Basilica before proceeding in a procession to the Sistine Chapel. There, they took an oath of secrecy, and the conclave officially began with the singing of the Veni Creator, invoking the Holy Spirit to guide their voting. Thousands of faithful from around the world have gathered in Vatican City to witness the event. The voting process requires a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. The cardinals will vote in four rounds daily until a candidate is chosen. Observers are considering who among the main contenders is likely to become the next pope. The outcome of each ballot will be signaled by smoke: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke signifies the election of a new pope.