A visual guide to the election of the next pope

Cardinals from across the world have begun gathering in the Vatican for the conclave, a secret set of votes in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope.

Each day, dressed in striking scarlet robes, they will make their way from their lodgings in Casa Santa Marta to the chapel, where votes are cast beneath the frescoes.

Here are some of the key rituals and traditions that define the process to choose the new pontiff, which will begin on Wednesday.

Domus Sanctae Marthae

A tight squeeze in the 129-bedroom hotel for 133 cardinal electors

Source: Reuters

When they’re not gathered inside the Sistine Chapel for voting, the cardinals will be staying in this unassuming guest house.

Casa Santa Marta was purpose-built in 1996 to accommodate the clergy within the Vatican walls. It was big enough to host the last two conclaves, when 115 cardinals took part, but this year the Vatican will have to find extra room to house all 133 electors, plus a substantial support staff of doctors, confessors, cooks, and cleaners.

Map data: Google

To ensure absolute secrecy, all radios, televisions and telephones are removed and the Wi-Fi is blocked.

Every morning at around 9am, the cardinals will walk the 500 metres around St Peter’s Basilica to the Sistine Chapel to vote.

Cardinals’ choir dresses

Sea of red representing the blood of Christ

One of the most striking images of the forthcoming conclave will be the row upon row of cardinals dressed in identical deep-scarlet robes.

The colour not only represents the blood Christ shed on the cross, but also the blood of the cardinals. They hold the highest rank in the Catholic Church after the pope. The red garments symbolise their willingness to sacrifice their lives for the supreme pontiff and for the Catholic faith.

The only garment that isn’t red is the rochet, the light tunic worn between the cassock and the mozzetta. It is white, symbolising purity of soul, and resembles the seamless robe Jesus wore when crucified.

Sworn to silence

Vows to uphold secrecy and sanctity of election

Source: Vatican Media via Reuters

The final words from the cardinals before they are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel is a solemn pledge to keep the secrets of the conclave.

All cardinals involved in the election must also agree that, if elected, they will commit faithfully to the duties of the role and defend the liberty of the Holy See.

But the cardinals aren’t the only ones to take an oath. Everyone involved in the conclave, from bishops and priests to doctors, drivers and cleaners, must be sworn to secrecy.

Extra omnes!

Master orders ‘everyone out!’ and chapel is sealed

Source: Vatican Media via Reuters

When the master of papal liturgical celebrations gives this Latin order, everyone not taking part in the conclave must immediately leave the chapel. Only the master and one other ecclesiastic can remain.

The ecclesiastic addresses the electors about problems facing the Church and the grave responsibility of their task. Once his meditation is complete, the pair depart, leaving the cardinal electors in complete isolation.

Heavenly ceiling

Art sets the stage for papal destiny

Source: Giulio Origlia/Getty Images

Confined between the Sistine Chapel and Casa Santa Marta, and isolated from the outside world, the cardinals have little to do but marvel at the chapel’s famous works of art.

The room is filled with masterpieces highlighting the history of salvation and the connections between heaven and earth. Several are particularly relevant to the process of choosing a new pope.

Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam depicts God giving life to the first man. It shows the connection between humanity, created in God’s own image, and the divine.

This painting shows Jesus passing the keys of heaven to St Peter, the first pope.

Michelangelo’s stunning art covers the wall behind the altar where cardinals cast their vote. The work depicts the second coming of Christ, painted in the centre, and the eternal judgement by God of all humans.

Unlike the other frescoes in the chapel, this one tells of a story yet to happen and is a reminder of the eternal consequences of the cardinals’ decision.

Vatican’s golden moment

All eyes on chimney as world awaits white smoke

Source: Reuters and Sky News/Getty Images

Because the cardinals are forbidden from contacting the outside world, the only way they can announce whether they have decided on a new pope is through smoke.

White smoke means a decision has been reached, while black smoke means it hasn’t. The smoke is partly generated by burning the ballot papers onto which the cardinals write their votes. This also ensures secrecy by erasing any trace of the voting process.

This tradition is relatively new in the church’s 2,000-year history. Smoke was used in the early 1800s to indicate a failed voting round. White smoke was not introduced until 1914.

A two-stove burner is installed inside the chapel ahead of the conclave and a temporary chimney is added to the roof.

Notes and votes are burned twice a day in the stove on the right-hand side, while the stove on the left is used to produce coloured smoke.

The room of tears

Where the chosen one weeps, prays – and finds a robe that fits

Once a decision has been made, the new pope must get ready for his first balcony appearance. The faithful wait at St Peter’s Square. Before presenting himself to the world, the pontiff has a few minutes to reflect on the weight and importance of his new role.

He is then taken to an antechamber in the Sistine Chapel. It’s a small room, simply furnished with a red sofa, a desk and a cross. It is said that previous popes wept with emotion while preparing themselves, hence the room’s name.

The room is also equipped with a clothes rack containing papal vestments and red leather shoes. Because no one knows in advance who the next leader will be, there are three different sizes of garments and seven sizes of shoes.

Big balcony moment

First glimpse sets tone for church’s new era

Source: Reuters

First impressions matter.

When he emerged onto the balcony in 2013, Pope Francis was wearing a simple white cassock, without the traditional, opulent, red mozzetta on top, a sign that he wanted to lead with simplicity and humility.

He also chose to keep the same silver pectoral cross he wore as archbishop of Buenos Aires, instead of the gold and red cross worn by previous pontiffs.

Another subtle detail was the shoes. Francis wore his own black shoes rather than changing to the red leather pair provided by the Vatican. Red shoes were particularly associated with Francis’s more traditionalist predecessor, Benedict XVI. Ancient kings are said to have worn red to signify wealth and status.

The balcony moment is also the first time we hear the new pope’s chosen name. Cardinal Bergoglio was the first pope to choose the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, the Italian priest known for leading a life of poverty.

These small, but telling, details set the tone for the papacy of Francis.

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