The Cardinals will participate in a mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the current day. After that, the eligible voters will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secret ballot, announces spokesperson Matteo Bruni.
After Pope Francis' death on Easter Monday, the Church's 252 Cardinals were called back to Rome. Only about 135 of the Cardinals are under 80 years old and will therefore be allowed to vote on who will become the next Pope. Many of the Cardinals do not know each other from before.
When 180 Cardinals arrived at the first day of informal meetings on Monday, they were surrounded by journalists who shouted questions about the atmosphere inside the meeting and when the conclave would begin.
There is hope for unity, replied Argentine Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi, who became a Cardinal in 2023.
The Sistine Chapel, where the voting will take place, is closed to prepare for the conclave, where Catholic Cardinals from around the world gather for the election.
Pope Francis was buried on Saturday, when 400,000 people gathered at St. Peter's Square and its surroundings.
