TUESDAY 6/5/2025 – THE CONCLAVE BEGINS
Introduction
The world waits. The great doors of the Sistine Chapel are about to close. Inside, a solemn, ancient ritual is about to unfold — the beginning of the papal conclave. On the fifteenth day following the death or resignation of the pope, or no later than the twentieth, the cardinal electors gather in Rome to undertake one of the most sacred responsibilities in the Roman Catholic Church: the election of a new pontiff. This moment is not just a decision-making process; it is an act of deep spiritual discernment, shaped by centuries of tradition and faith. With prayer and ceremony, the College of Cardinals prepares to enter the sacred space where God’s will be sought for the future of the Church. This blog article follows the first steps of the conclave: from the procession to the Sistine Chapel, the taking of oaths, the command of extra omnes, and the closing of the world outside.
From the Pauline to the Sistine Chapel
After celebrating the Votive Mass Pro eligendo Papa in St Peter’s Basilica, the cardinal electors gather in the Pauline Chapel. With solemnity, they chant the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, invoking the Holy Spirit, as they process through the Apostolic Palace to the Sistine Chapel. Here, total seclusion is enforced. Since 1878, every conclave has taken place within its walls. The chapel’s simplicity, architectural symmetry, and sacred artwork — particularly Michelangelo’s “Last Judgement” — make it both a spiritual and symbolic setting for the election of a pope.
The Oath Taking
Once seated in the Sistine Chapel, the Dean of the College of Cardinals reads aloud the oath prescribed by Universi Dominici Gregis, the Apostolic Constitution governing papal elections. The oath binds each elector, both individually and as a group, to observe the laws of the conclave with fidelity and secrecy. They promise to protect the spiritual and temporal rights of the Holy See and to resist any external interference. A central aspect of the oath is the solemn vow of silence: no discussion of the election’s inner workings may occur with outsiders, either during or after the conclave, unless the elected pope gives express permission. Each cardinal then approaches the Scriptures, places a hand on the Gospels, and declares: “And I, N. Cardinal N., do so promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.” This profound moment seals their commitment to conduct the election in the spirit of obedience, reverence, and spiritual integrity.
The Order of Extra Omnes
After the final cardinal has sworn the oath, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations speaks two words: Extra omnes — “Everyone out.” All individuals who are not directly involved in the election are ordered to leave the chapel immediately. This includes assistants, technical staff, and observers. The conclave is now officially closed to the outside world. At this point, the second of two designated preachers steps forward to deliver a final reflection. His task is to guide the minds and hearts of the electors toward the gravity of their responsibility. His message is clear: act for the good of the Universal Church, solum Deum prae oculis habentes — having only God before their eyes. Once he has spoken, he too exits the chapel, along with the liturgical master. Silence falls. The conclave begins.
Conclusion
The beginning of a papal conclave is a moment of awe, mystery, and sacred weight. Though unseen by the outside world, what unfolds within the Sistine Chapel will shape the Church and, in many ways, the world. The rituals — from the chanting of hymns to the oaths of secrecy, from the command extra omnes to the final sermon — are not mere formalities. They exist to focus the minds of the cardinals, to remove distraction, and to center the election entirely on the will of God. In an age defined by noise and speed, the conclave offers something rare: silence, reflection, and reverence. Behind locked doors, the Church listens — not to polls or politics, but to the whisper of the Holy Spirit. The world waits outside, looking to a chimney. But inside, the most important work is already underway. The next pope is not simply chosen; he is discerned. And it all begins with a vow, a prayer, and the closing of a door.
Resource: https://www.killaloediocese.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6319_6319_Conclave_Mgr_Charles_Burns_EX48.pdf