Canadian Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins (right) and Cardinal Francis Leo walk on Via della Conciliazione street near the Vatican, with St. Peter's Basilica in the background, in Rome on Monday. Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
VATICAN CITY - More than a billion Catholics worldwide are awaiting the election of a new pope as 133 cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin the secretive conclave process on Wednesday morning in Vatican City.
Pilgrims and journalists have crowded St. Peter's Square throughout the week as cardinals hold closed-door meetings to discuss church matters and the desired qualities of the next pope.
The conclave was initiated by the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. Francis, the first Latin American pope, was elected in 2013.
Following nine days of services in memory of Francis, the conclave will commence on Wednesday with a special Mass for the election of his successor in St. Peter's Basilica.
The cardinals, adorned in red robes, will then proceed to the Sistine Chapel where they will hear sermons and commence the voting process under Michelangelo's iconic frescoes.
During the conclave, the cardinals will be secluded within Vatican City until a new pope is elected, indicated by white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel chimney. The Papal Swiss Guard will stand watch outside the chapel.
The conclave follows rules established by popes over the centuries, emphasizing total secrecy. Cardinal electors must sign an oath of secrecy and seclusion to ensure confidentiality.
The closed nature of the conclave process intrigues many observers, as the selection of a new pope remains veiled in mystery.
After the initial round of voting, the conclave will proceed with multiple rounds each day until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority vote.
If no candidate secures the required majority, the ballots are burned in the Sistine Chapel stove, producing white or black smoke as a signal to the public.
Traditionally, chemicals are now used to produce the smoke color, replacing the use of wet or dry straw to avoid confusion.
The cardinals will continue to pray, contemplate, and vote until a new pope is elected.
Historically, conclaves have lasted under four days, with the election process following a set timeline and traditions.
Upon a successful vote, the elected pope is asked to accept the position and choose a papal name before being fitted with papal attire.
The new pope will then appear on the balcony over St. Peter's Square, greeted by the announcement, Habemus Papam! - "We have a pope!"
The new pope will then deliver his first blessing to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square.