Roman Catholic Church Cardinals on Tuesday went into prayer for God's guidance as they gathered in the Sistine Chapel in preparation for the election of a new head of the Catholic Church after the resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on February 28.
The 115 red-hatted and red-caped cardinals gathered in the Pauline Chapel and walked in procession along the frescoed halls of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace into the Sistine, where they could remain closeted for several days of discussion, balloting and subsequent election St. Peter's successor.
"The entire Church, united with us in prayer, asks for the grace of the Holy Spirit at this moment so that we elect a worthy shepherd for the entire flock of Christ," said one of the cardinals.
They then chanted what is known as the "litany of saints", asking more than 150 saints by name for help in making their choice of who should succeed Benedict XVI
They then read an oath in Latin, promising to abide by all the rules of the conclave, including not to reveal anything that goes on during the conclave.
The cardinals may well decide to cast a first ballot as early as Tuesday night after the doors of the chapel, one of the world's greatest art treasures, are closed and the cardinals are sequestered inside to conduct their secret discussions.
If they vote, the first outcome is likely to be inconclusive because there is no front-runner to succeed Benedict, who became the first pope in centuries to step down, after he realised that his health state could not favor him to lead the World's largest church.
Benedict also cited old age as another reason for his resignation.
On completion of the vote, white smoke will emerge from the chimney of Sistine Chapel which before a conclusive vote, releases black smoke.
The 115 red-hatted and red-caped cardinals gathered in the Pauline Chapel and walked in procession along the frescoed halls of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace into the Sistine, where they could remain closeted for several days of discussion, balloting and subsequent election St. Peter's successor.
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| Cardinals at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican ahead of election of the new Pope. |
They then chanted what is known as the "litany of saints", asking more than 150 saints by name for help in making their choice of who should succeed Benedict XVI
They then read an oath in Latin, promising to abide by all the rules of the conclave, including not to reveal anything that goes on during the conclave.
The cardinals may well decide to cast a first ballot as early as Tuesday night after the doors of the chapel, one of the world's greatest art treasures, are closed and the cardinals are sequestered inside to conduct their secret discussions.
If they vote, the first outcome is likely to be inconclusive because there is no front-runner to succeed Benedict, who became the first pope in centuries to step down, after he realised that his health state could not favor him to lead the World's largest church.
Benedict also cited old age as another reason for his resignation.
On completion of the vote, white smoke will emerge from the chimney of Sistine Chapel which before a conclusive vote, releases black smoke.
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