A Holy Mass Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice or for the election fo the Roman Pontiff will be held at the St. Peter's Basilica ahead of the conclave, wherein cardinal-electors will convene to vote for the next pope, the Holy Press Office announced.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the mass that will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 10 a.m. (4 p.m., Manila time).
"Their Eminences the Cardinals who will concelebrate are requested to be present by 9.15 in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, to put on their liturgical vestments, bringing with them their white damask mitre," according to the notice from the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Archbishop Diego Ravelli.
Swearing in
The Vatican announced that on Monday 5 May 2025, at 17.30 (11:30 p.m. Manila time) there will be thethe swearing-in of the officials and attendants of the Conclavein the Pauline Chapel, the First Loggia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
"All those who will be attendants at the upcoming Conclave, both ecclesiastics and laypersons, approved by the Cardinal Camerlengo and the three Cardinal Assistants, in accordance with the Apostolic ConstitutionUniversi Dominici Gregisno. 48, must take and sign the prescribed oath.
On the basis of Nos. 46 and 47 of the same Constitution, the following must be present by 17.00 (11 p.m. Manila time) in the Pauline Chapel:
- the Secretary of the College of Cardinals;
- the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations;
- the Pontifical Masters of Celebrations;
- the ecclesiastic chosen by the Cardinal presiding over the Conclave to assist him in his office;
- religious staff of the Pontifical Sacristy;
- religious of various languages for confessions;
- doctors and nurses;
- lift attendants in the Apostolic Palace;
- staff of the refectory and cleaning services;
- staff of theFloreriaand technical services;
- staff responsible for transporting the Electors from theDomus Sanctae Marthaeto the Apostolic Palace;
- the Colonel and Major of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, surveillance staff close to the Sistine Chapel;
- the Director of the Security Services and Vatican City State Civil Protection, with some of their collaborators.
"After being instructed on the meaning of the oath, they must pronounce and personally sign the prescribed formula in front of His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, with the two Protonotaries Apostolicde numero," according to the document signed by Ravelli.
Entry into the Conclave
On the start of the Conclave on Wednesday 7 May 2025, at 16.30 (10:30 p.m. Manila time), the entry into the Conclave and the taking of the oath for the election of the new pope, according to the provisions of theOrdo Rituum Conclavis, will take place.
The Cardinal Electors are expected to be in the Pauline Chapel, First Loggia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace by 16.15 (10:15 p.m. Manila time).
"The Cardinals of Latin rite will wear the red cassock with the sash, the rochet, the mozzetta, the pectoral cross with a red and gold cord, the ring, the zucchetto and the biretta; the Cardinals of the Eastern Churches will wear their own choral habit."
"From the Pauline Chapel, to the singing of theVeni Creator, they will give the prescribed oath."
The following will take part in the procession, arriving in the Sala Regia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace by 16.00 (10 p.m. Manila time) and wearing their own choral habit:
- the Cardinal who will read the meditation;
- the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations;
- two members of the College of Pronotaries Apostolicde numero participantium;
- two members of the College of Prelate Auditors of the Roman Rota;
- the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies;
- the secretary of the Cardinal who will preside over the Conclave;
- the Pontifical Sistine Chapel Choir.
- The following may enter the Sistine Chapel:
- the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State;
- the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Secretariat of State;
- the Regent of the Pontifical Household;
- the religious attendants of the Pontifical Sacristy;
- the priests responsible for confessions;
- the Colonel of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
The other staff members at the conclave are part of the service of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps, the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, the Floreria and the Dicastery for Communication.— BAP, GMA Integrated News
