With the ‘Extra omnes’: the Conclave begins

With the proclamation of the “Extra omnes” on Wednesday afternoon, 7 May, by the Master of Papal Ceremony, Archbishop Diego Ravelli,   before the closing of door to the Sistine Chapel at 5:46 pm, the Conclave that will elect the 267^th  bishop of Rome began. Before entering, the 133 cardinal-electors paused in prayer in the Pauline Chapel, from where the  solemn procession began towards the Sistine Chapel, where they took the solemn oath. Then, after the proclamation of ‘everyone out’, the heavy doors  of the Sistine Chapel were closed. The cardinal-electors listened to the meditation by the Capuchin Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, at the end of which the procedures laid down by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis for the election of the Pope began.

In the morning, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presided at the Mass ‘Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice’, at the Vatican Basilica. He outlined the tasks of every successor of Peter, marked by a ‘new’ commandment of love. And he called on his brother cardinal electors to choose with ‘highest human and ecclesial responsibility’, setting aside personal considerations, having at heart unity and communion, even in diversity, remaining in full fidelity to the Gospel.  May the Pope who will be elected  be the person ‘the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history’  Cardinal Re said.