In a solemn act of preparation for the much-anticipated conclave, Vatican officials formally sealed the entrances to the Apostolic Palace on the evening of May 6, signaling the Church’s readiness to enter a sacred time of discernment and decision.
The Commission in charge of delimiting the area of the conclave was chaired by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.
Among the key figures present were Colonel Christoph Graf, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard; Dr. Davide Giulietti, Deputy Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie; and members of the Directorate of Technical Services of the Governorate of the Vatican City State.
Following protocol, all access points to the Apostolic Palace were closed and officially marked with seals bearing the words “Conclave” and “2025.” This traditional ceremony safeguards the privacy and integrity of the process by ensuring that the Cardinal Electors can carry out their sacred duty free from external interference.
The sealing marks a turning point in the transition from one papacy to another. It also underscores the gravity of the moment, as the Church prepares to entrust the election of the next successor of St. Peter to prayer, reflection, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
According to the Holy See Press Office, 133 Cardinal electors from around the world are expected to participate in the Conclave, which begins on May 7. These electors—under the age of 80—will gather in the Sistine Chapel under strict confidentiality to vote for the new pope.
Before the start of the voting, the Holy Mass Pro Eligendo Pontifice (For the Election of the Roman Pontiff) will be celebrated on the morning of May 7 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Eucharistic celebration, open to the public and broadcast globally, will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
The Mass serves as both a spiritual grounding and a communal act of worship, uniting the Church in prayer for wisdom and guidance. Afterward, the cardinal electors will process into the Sistine Chapel to begin the secret balloting that will eventually lead to the election of a new pope.
As white smoke remains a symbol of hope on the horizon, the Church now enters a deeply spiritual moment—one marked not by speculation, but by trust in God’s providence.
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