The Conclave: Day One
Conclave Day One Recap
The first day of the Conclave began at 10:00 a.m. (“Rome time”) with Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Cardinal Re. The Sacred College of Cardinals and several hundred bishops and priests concelebrated the Mass, joined by numerous deacons and acolytes, and attended by 5,000 congregants.
Unity Amid Diversity
In his homily, Cardinal Re stressed the importance of unity through “a firm and profound communion in diversity,” without compromising the Gospel. He commended the conclave of the College of Cardinals to the maternal intercession of the Ever-Virgin Mary, who is also the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, on whose unfailing guidance the College of Cardinals depends. “The election of the new Pope is not a simple succession of persons,” Cardinal Re emphasized, “yet it is always the Apostle Peter who returns.”
Procession of the Cardinals
The Sacred College of Cardinals went in procession out of St. Peter’s Basilica and reconvened shortly thereafter to officially process together into the Sistine Chapel. The procession began with the traditional chant of the Litany to the Saints. The Cardinals took their place and stood at the backs of their seats. The Litany to the Saints concluded. Then began the traditional chant Veni Creator Spiritus, asking the Holy Spirit to come down upon them and guide them through His inspiration.
Oath of Secrecy
Earlier that day, the staff of the Conclave, that is, those faithful souls who will care for the temporal and spiritual needs of the Cardinals, made their oath of secrecy. Some of these staff members include Pontifical Swiss Guards, Papal Sacristans, security, medical doctors and nurses, cooks, confessors, and more. At the conclusion of the chanting of the Veni Creator Spiritus, the College of Cardinals then made their own oath of secrecy, each one placing his hand with his bishop’s ring upon the oath and reciting the text in Latin.
All the Cardinal electors finished their oath. The large wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel closed. The boom that reverberated from the speakers in St. Peter’s Square silenced the crowd. Everyone joined together in mutual understanding. The Sacred College of Cardinals was now locked in until they had chosen a successor to St. Peter. The Conclave had begun.
I singoli Cardinali elettori, secondo l’ordine di precedenza, prestano il giuramento con la seguente formula: Et ego N., Cardinális N., spóndeo, vóveo ac iuro. Sic me Deus ádiuvet et haec Sancta Dei Evangélia, quae manu mea tango.
In St. Peter’s Square
In the meantime, the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, at first by the hundreds, then by the thousands, until the entire square was filled with 30,000 people, and more, if the tens of thousands who stood outside St. Peter’s Square were counted. Many had arrived by 7:00 p.m. Rome time because it was believed that the Cardinals would be finished voting by then. A half hour went by; another half hour; and then another. The square kept filling with people until every stone, every stair, was occupied by a good soul whose eyes were fixed upon the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel roof—an image that was magnified thanks to four jumbotron monitors, spread throughout St. Peter’s Square. Many people found great entertainment in the seagull that occasionally made an appearance near the Sistine Chapel chimney. Crowds cheered as the seagull alighted on the rooftop. The waterfowl cocked his hoary head in wonderment at the strange din.
Evening waned, the sky darkened, points of light shone as luminous glints across the hopeful crowd. Finally, after waiting until 8:45 p.m., black smoke began billowing from the peak of the chimney. Some in the crowd cheered, having come to see, perhaps, a spectacle of Ecclesial tradition. A brief, mournful expression flashed across many other faces who had eagerly hoped that a new Pontiff might be elected on the first ballot, yet a moment later, their faces brightened again, knowing that tomorrow is another day for an election.
Pray for the Conclave
Let us continue to pray for the Sacred College of Cardinals that, as Cardinal Burke states in his Novena for the Conclave, they might “choose the most worthy man to be Christ’s Vicar on earth.”
Novena Prayer for the Sacred College of Cardinals gathered for the Conclave to elect the Roman Pontiff
I kneel before you, O Virgin Mother of God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the compassionate mother of all who love you, cry to you, seek you, and trust in you. I plead for the Church at a time of great trial and danger for her. As you came to the rescue of the Church at Tepeyac in 1531, please intercede for the Sacred College of Cardinals gathered in Rome to elect the Successor of Saint Peter, Vicar of Christ, Shepherd of the Universal Church.
At this tumultuous time for the Church and for the world, plead with your Divine Son that the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, His Mystical Body, will humbly obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Through your intercession, may they choose the most worthy man to be Christ’s Vicar on earth. With you, I place all my trust in Him Who alone is our help and salvation. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy upon us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Virgin Mother of God and Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us!
Raymond Leo Cardinal BURKE
April 24, 2025
