If you’ve ever waited for something huge like the doors opening at a sold-out concert or your exam results finally dropping you already know a little bit about the suspense around the start of the conclave.
The conclave, that secret gathering where a new pope is elected, doesn’t just happen out of nowhere. It builds up like a slow, steady drumroll, and the start time feels like the whole world is holding its breath at once.
So, When Does It Begin?
Technically, the conclave starts a few days after the papacy ends, whether the pope has passed away or resigned. Cardinals gather in Rome, and after a few meetings (called “General Congregations”) to discuss church matters, they eventually announce the exact time the conclave will kick off.
Most often, the first day involves a Mass called “Pro Eligendo Papa”, which translates to praying for the election of a new pope. After that, the cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel, under the heavy watch of tradition, history, and about a thousand TV cameras set up outside Vatican City waiting for any news.
Once they are locked in and when I say “locked in,” I mean they literally seal the doors the conclave is officially underway.
Typically, the first session starts in the afternoon. Think around 4:00 or 5:00 PM local Rome time. It’s not carved in stone, but they usually aim for a later start on the first day because there’s a lot of formal ceremony before the actual voting begins.
What It Feels Like Waiting for It
I remember following the 2013 conclave when Pope Francis was elected. I kept refreshing live news sites like a maniac, watching every tiny puff of smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney. Was it black smoke? White smoke? Grey smoke? The suspense was next level.
A friend and I even had a “conclave watch party” (yes, we are that nerdy). We made pizza, pulled up live feeds from St. Peter’s Square, and tried to guess when the smoke would finally turn white. It felt like being in a long overtime match, where every minute could bring the winning goal.
Why They Don’t Rush It
The conclave isn’t just about voting quickly. It’s about careful thought, prayer, and a deep sense of responsibility. Every time I watch coverage of the conclave starting, I think about how different it feels from modern elections. No campaign ads, no social media blasts, no debates. Just serious, quiet reflection.
Imagine being locked in with a hundred of your peers, knowing you have to make a choice that could affect over a billion people around the world. No wonder they take their time.
Some Fun Facts I Love
They Take an Oath: Before voting starts, each cardinal swears to keep everything secret. No leaks allowed.
Smoke Signals: After each vote, they burn the ballots. Black smoke means no pope yet. White smoke means a new pope has been chosen. (Fun fact: chemicals are added to make the smoke color more obvious, since in earlier conclaves people often got confused.)
Isolation: During the conclave, cardinals can’t call, email, text, or even casually chat with the outside world. It’s like the most serious no-phone zone you’ve ever heard of.
How To Know When It’s Happening
If you want to catch the start live next time, watch for two things:
The Vatican announced they’ll give a heads-up a day or two before.
The live feed from the Sistine Chapel when you see the cardinals heading inside in their red robes, you know it’s game time.
