Massari Travel, together with the whole Catholic world and not only, mourns Pope ‘s Francis sudden death and joins in prayer the millions of believers to accompany his soul in his last journey to the Father.
But it also feels the need to take care of the hundreds of tourists that want or plan to visit the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, in the following days and wants to share with them significant information as follows.
Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church enters a period of mourning and spiritual reflection.
Among the most solemn and symbolic moments marking this transition is the preparation for the Conclave — the gathering of cardinal electors who will choose the next Pope.
In the days leading up to the Conclave, the Sistine Chapel, usually open to millions of visitors each year, will be closed to the public.
Inside, technicians and Vatican staff will work meticulously to remove or disable all forms of communication with the outside world. Wooden desks will be arranged for each cardinal elector, and the iconic stove — from which the black or white smoke will rise — will be installed.
When everything is ready, the cardinal electors will enter the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo’s majestic fresco of the Last Judgment.
Then comes a pivotal moment: the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations will proclaim “Extra Omnes” — Latin for “Everyone out.”
With these words, all non-essential personnel must leave, and the doors of the chapel will be closed, marking the official start of the Conclave.
From that moment onward, the cardinals are completely sealed off from the outside world. They will swear an oath of secrecy and loyalty, pledging to abide by the Apostolic Constitution, to faithfully accept the papal office if elected, and to maintain absolute discretion about all proceedings. One by one, they will place their hand on the Holy Gospels — the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — invoking divine assistance to carry out their sacred duty.
Currently, there are 138 cardinal electors, though approximately a dozen has surpassed the age of 80 and therefore are not eligible to vote. The Conclave is a moment of deep spiritual gravity and historical significance — a time when the Church seeks guidance in choosing its new shepherd.
Nobody knows how long the Conclave will last,maybe days or weeks, but we all hope that the “white smoke”, will soon declare to the world that a new shepherd will be named to lead the Catholics into the world.
