Papal conclave begins: Cardinals sequestered in Sistine Chapel to elect the new pope

The conclave to elect a new pope began Wednesday as 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, marking the start of what could be days of voting to select the successor to Pope Francis, according to The Washington Post, which reports that speculation is swirling about potential candidates from the United States, Italy, Spain, and beyond. With ceremony and secrecy characteristic of this centuries-old process, the cardinals processed into the chapel shortly after 4:30 p.m. local time, where they will remain sequestered until a new pontiff is chosen. The Washington Post notes that this conclave includes nearly two dozen cardinals from countries that have never had a voice in selecting a pope before.

Under Michelangelo's iconic ceiling depicting God creating Adam, the cardinals will cast their votes without interpreters, speeches, or lobbying—only prayer and ballots will determine who next sits on the throne of St. Peter. Many Vatican observers are anticipating that emerging white smoke, signaling "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope"), could come as early as Thursday, as the Washington Post reports that recent conclaves have been relatively short.

The cardinals took an oath of secrecy after processing into the Sistine Chapel, where electronic surveillance and communication with the outside world have been completely blocked, as Fox News explains in its coverage of the highly choreographed process. Cell phone signals around the chapel have been deactivated, and signal jammers have been employed to ensure absolute secrecy during the proceedings. The cardinals surrendered their phones and all electronic devices before entering the conclave, according to reports from Fox News.

This first day includes only one ballot, but starting Thursday, the cardinals could hold up to four votes daily – two in the morning and two in the afternoon—until a pope is elected by a two-thirds majority. The voting takes place in complete isolation from the outside world, preserving a tradition that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Fox News reports that if a decision comes Wednesday night, it could signify the elevation of a familiar cardinal viewed by his peers as a stabilizing figure during unsettled times for the church, or perhaps that a particular candidate has electrified the conclave with unexpected support.

The historic process is underway with no clear frontrunner having emerged to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, CNN reports in its live coverage of the conclave's first day. Cardinal Giovanni Re, the 91-year-old Dean of the College of Cardinals who is too old to vote, delivered a homily Wednesday morning urging the electors to keep "in mind and heart only the God of Jesus Christ and the good of the Church and of humanity." CNN notes that this will be one of the most diverse conclaves in history, with cardinal electors representing 70 different nations across six continents, including 15 countries being represented for the first time. The late Pope Francis had created cardinals in nations that previously had none, including the Central African Republic, Haiti, Malaysia, Myanmar, Paraguay, and Singapore.

Cardinals Timothy Dolan of New York and Joseph Tobin of the United States are among those considered "papabile" (potential pope material), along with Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, who is viewed by many as the frontrunner. CNN coverage shows the cardinals singing the "Litany of the Saints" as they processed from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel, calling on more than 100 Catholic saints to pray for them as they undertake this momentous decision.