The Conclave to elect the 266th Pope begins today (Tuesday 12 March 2013) in Rome. Below is the timetable released by the Vatican Press Office for the first two days of the Conclave. We will update this if necessary for Thursday 14 March.
Tuesday, 12 March, 2013 (all time are Irish)
14:45 – Transfer from Domus Sanctae Marthae to Pauline Chapel
15:30 – Procession from Pauline Chapel to Sistine Chapel
15:45 – Oath administered and Extra omnes! Proclaimed
Followed by meditation by Cardinal Prosper Grech, OSA
Eventual 1st vote
18:15 – Vespers
18:30 – Cardinals return to Domus Sanctae Marthae
Wednesday, 13 March, 2013 (all times Irish)
05:30 – Breakfast served in Domus S. Marthae (until 7:30)
06:45 – Transfer from Domus S. Marthae to Sistine Chapel
07:15 – Mass
08:30 – Hora Media in Sistine Chapel
Morning vote(s) (scrutiny(ies) taken
11:30 – Cardinals return to Domus Sanctae Marthae
12:00 – Lunch
15:00 – Cardinals return to Sistine Chapel
15:50 – Scrutinies taken
18:15 – Vespers
18:30 – Cardinals return to Domus Sanctae Marthae
Background and Conclave Resources:
On Tuesday morning the Cardinals of the Church held a special Mass to prepare for the Conclave, which begins this afernoon. The Mass ‘Pro Eligendo Pontefice’ was celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals preached the homily.
- The booklet for the Mass is available here
- Cardinal Sodano’s homily is available here
- General information on the College of Cardinals is available here
- The norms and rites regulating Conclave procedure are available here
- Keep up to date with events from the Conclave on the English News section of the Vatican website
- Conclave events are being streamed online at http://www.news.va/en and on www.annusfidei.va
- Virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel is available here