May 7 – Opening Day of the Conclave

(All times in Sri Lanka Standard Time – SL Time)

Morning

● Votive Mass – Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice

● Presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re

● Location: St. Peter’s Basilica

● (13:30 PM SL Time)

Afternoon

● Cardinals are transported from Casa Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace

(7:15 PM SL Time)

● Solemn procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel with chant of Veni Creator Spiritus

● Oath of Secrecy taken by all Cardinal-electors“

● "Extra Omnes" command given; all non-electors dismissed

● Meditation on the duty to elect a pope is delivered

● First Ballot may be held

○ Smoke Signals: 10:30 PM SL Time

May 8 and Following Days – Daily Voting Schedule

Morning Sessions

● Cardinals depart Casa Santa Marta (11:15 AM SL Time)

● Mass and Lauds in Pauline Chapel (11:45 AM SL Time)

● Mid-morning prayer and voting begins (12:45 PM SL Time)

● Smoke Signals:

○ 2:00 PM SL Time and 3:30 PM SL Time

● Lunch break - Cardinals return to Santa Marta (4:00 PM SL Time)

Afternoon Sessions

● Cardinals return to the Apostolic Palace (7:15 PM SL Time)

● Voting resumes in the Sistine Chapel (8:00 PM SL Time)

● Smoke Signals:

○ 9:00 PM SL Time and 10:30 PM SL Time

● Vespers celebrated after voting

● Return to Santa Marta (11:00 PM SL Time)

Voting Cycle

● 2 ballots in the morning

● 2 ballots in the afternoon

● After 3 days without result → 1-day pause

● Then 7 more ballots before another pause

Election of the New Pope

● If a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote:

● He is asked: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”

● He replies: “Accepto” and declares his chosen name

● White smoke appears from the chimney (either at 2:00 PM, 9:00 PM, or another slot depending on when elected)

● Bells of St. Peter’s ring

● Cardinals greet the new Pope

Announcement & Papal Appearance

● Protodeacon announces: “Habemus Papam!”

● New Pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica

● Gives Urbi et Orbi blessing

Following Days

● Installation Mass at St. Peter’s Square (date TBA)

● Pope takes possession of St. John Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome

Sources:

● Universi Dominici Gregis, Apostolic Constitution by St. John Paul II (1996)

● Vatican Press Office Briefings