133 Cardinals Set to Elect New Pope

133 Cardinals Set to Elect New PopeCatholic cardinals attended a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, May 7, just a few hours before starting the secret vote (conclave) to choose a new pope.

A total of 133 cardinals, who are allowed to vote, filed into the basilica in a formal procession to music being sung by a choir.

The Mass was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who opened proceedings by swinging a censer with incense around the altar and blessing a statue of the Virgin Mary.

After the Mass, the cardinals will move to the Vatican’s frescoed Sistine Chapel, where they will begin the private conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.

No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries, so voting could continue for several days before one of the red-hatted princes of the Church receives the necessary two-thirds majority to become the 267th pontiff.

There will be only one ballot on Wednesday. Thereafter, the cardinals can vote as many as four times a day.

Black smoke from a chimney on the roof of the chapel will mark an inconclusive vote, while white smoke and the pealing of bells will signal that the 1.4-billion-member Church has a new leader