Conclave to elect new pope begins tomorrow
Vatican City, Mar 11 : Roman Catholic cardinals will gather here to elect the new pope as the conclave will start at the Sistine Chapel from Tuesday.
"On Tuesday at 3:45 pm, the cardinals will move from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace. At 4:30 pm, the cardinals will process from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel and, after they have all taken the oath, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations will give the order "Extra omnes" for all those not taking part in the Conclave to leave the Sistine Chapel," the Vatican said in a statement.
"The cardinals will listen to a meditation given by Cardinal Grech, concerning the grave duty incumbent on them and thus on the need to act with right intention for the good of the Universal Church, after which they will proceed to the first vote. At 7:00 pm they will pray Vespers and, at 7:30 pm, will return to the Domus Sanctae Marthae," it said.
"Beginning on Wednesday, 13 March, the cardinals will move from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Pauline Chapel at 7:45 am where, at 8:15 am, they will celebrate Mass. At 9:30 am they will enter the Sistine Chapel, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and proceed to the voting process," the Vatican said.
"Around 12:00 pm they will return to the Domus Sanctae Marthae and, after lunch there, will go back to the Sistine Chapel at 4:00 pm where they will pray briefly and resume the voting procedure until 7:00 pm," it said.
Stunning his followers across the globe, Pope Benedict XVI resigned last month.
Pope Benedict XVI on Feb 11 announced he will resign on Feb 28.
He is the first pontiff to make the move in 600 years, reports said.
Pope Benedict XVI decided to resign due to 'advanced age'.
He was the 265th Pope. He was elected on Apr 19, 2005.
Pertinently, he was elected after the death of Pope John Paul II.
Roman Catholic Church, largest of the Christian denominations with about 1.2 billion adherents, is headed by the Pope and headquartered in Vatican.