Cardinals Move Into Vatican Residences Ahead of Historic Papal Conclave

The Vatican is entering a solemn and historic moment this week as 133 cardinal electors begin moving into their accommodations ahead of Wednesday’s conclave to choose the next pope.

This secretive and sacred process, taking place after the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, will unfold within the iconic walls of the Sistine Chapel — and could take anywhere from hours to weeks, even months.

This conclave is set to be the most international and diverse in the history of the Catholic Church, with representatives from 70 countries across five continents.

The cardinals, all under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote, are being housed in two primary Vatican residences: the Santa Marta guesthouse, known for its modern facilities and en-suite rooms, and Santa Marta Vecchia, a nearby building typically reserved for Vatican officials.

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Due to the unprecedented size of the conclave, some cardinals have had to be accommodated outside the main guesthouse. Room assignments will be decided by drawing lots, and the electors are expected to settle in by Tuesday — just in time for the Mass that traditionally opens the conclave on Wednesday morning.

Since the passing of Pope Francis, the cardinals have held near-daily meetings to prepare for the election. These sessions have tackled critical topics, including Church unity, the Vatican’s finances, global abuse scandals, and the desired qualities of the next pontiff.

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Franco-Algerian Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco shared with Corriere della Sera that these gatherings have fostered a sense of unity among the group: “We’ve come from so many countries, many of us had never met before. Finally, we have got to know each other.”

Cardinal Vesco also noted that there appear to be “at least five or six” potential frontrunners for the papacy. Once the conclave begins, the cardinal electors are bound by absolute secrecy, under penalty of excommunication.

All forms of communication with the outside world are forbidden, and the Vatican has confirmed it will cut all phone signals within the city-state from 3:00 PM (1300 GMT) on Wednesday until a new pope is chosen. However, this blackout will not affect St. Peter’s Square, where thousands are expected to gather in anticipation.

The cardinals must leave their mobile phones behind and are sworn to secrecy. Supporting staff — including medics, canteen workers, cleaners, and even elevator operators — took similar oaths on Monday to ensure the integrity of the process.

As in past conclaves, the world will learn about the outcome of each voting round through the time-honored smoke signals. Black smoke indicates that no pope has yet been chosen, while white smoke signals that a new leader of the Catholic Church has been elected.

While Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict XVI were elected within two days, history reminds us that the process can sometimes take far longer — the longest conclave lasted 1,006 days, between 1268 and 1271.

As the world waits for the white smoke to rise, the Vatican prepares for one of its most sacred and closely-watched rituals — a moment that will once again shape the future of the Catholic Church.