The schedule for the Conclave May 7-8, 2025

The Vatican Press Office released the following schedule for the Conclave, which starts tomorrow.

Table of Contents

The schedule for the Conclave

Notice from the Office of Liturgical Celebrations: Holy Mass “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice”, 29.04.2025

NOTIFICATION HOLY MASS “PRO ELIGENDO ROMANO PONTIFICE”

On Wednesday 7 May 2025, at 10.00 (Rome time; 4:00 am Eastern Daylight Time), the Holy Mass “for the election of the Roman Pontiff” will be celebrated in Saint Peter’s Basilica, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

Their Eminences the Cardinals who will concelebrate are requested to be present by 9.15 am (Rome Time; 3:15am Eastern Daylight time) in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, to put on their liturgical vestments, bringing with them their white damask mitre.

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In accordance with the Motu Proprio “Pontificalis Domus”, the members of the Pontifical Chapel who wish to participate in the Eucharistic Celebration are required to wear their own choral habit and to be present at the Altar of the Confessio by 9.30, in order to occupy the place that will be indicated to them by the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies.

Vatican City, 29 April 2025

By mandate of the College of Cardinals

✠ Diego Ravelli
Titular Archbishop of Recanati
Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations

ENTRY INTO THE CONCLAVE

On Wednesday 7 May 2025, at 16.30 (Rome Time; 10:30 am Eastern Daylight Time), the entry into the Conclave and the taking of the oath for the election of the Roman Pontiff, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordo Rituum Conclavis (nos. 29-44), will take place.

Their Eminences the Cardinal Electors are requested to be present by 16.15 (10:15 am Eastern Daylight Time) in the Pauline Chapel, First Loggia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace. 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 the Veni Creator, they will give the prescribed oath.

Besides the Cardinal Electors, the following will take part in the procession, arriving in the Sala Regia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace by 16.00 (Rome Time; 10:00am Eastern Daylight 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 Apostolic de 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.

At 16.00 (10:00 am Eastern Daylight Time), 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.

In addition, the staff 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 will be present, with the appropriate ticket.

Vatican City, 29 April 2025

By mandate of the College of Cardinals

✠ Diego Ravelli
Titular Archbishop of Recanati
Master of Pontfical Liturgical Celebrations

The Director of the Holy See Press Office also explained some concrete details regarding the schedule.

Tomorrow morning, there will be the Mass the Mass pro eligendo Pontifice. Then at 3:45pm, (Rome Time; 9:45am Eastern Daylight Time) the Cardinals will be transported from Casa Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace in choir dress for the entrance into the Conclave.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

On Thursday morning, at 7:45am (Rome time; 1:45am Eastern Daylight Time) the Cardinals will depart from Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace, and at 8:15 AM (Rome time,. 2:15am Eastern Daylight Time), they will celebrate Mass and Lauds in the Pauline Chapel. Afterward, at 9:15 AM (Rome time; 3:15am Eastern Daylight Time), there will be mid-morning prayer in the Sistine Chapel and they will begin voting.

He clarified that possible timing for smoke could be roughly after 10:30am (Rome time; 4:30am Eastern Daylight Time) if there were to be white smoke, and after 12:00pm (Rome time; 6am Eastern Daylight Time).

Then at 12:30pm (Rome Time; 6:30 am Eastern Daylight Time), they return to Santa Marta for lunch.

That afternoon, at 3:45pm (Rome time; 9:45am Eastern Daylight Time), they will return to the Apostolic Palace and will resume voting in the Sistine Chapel at 4:30pm. (Rome Time; 10:30am Eastern Daylight Time).

For afternoon votes, Bruni noted that possible smoke could appear after 5:30pm (Rome time; 11:30am Eastern Daylight Time) if there were white smoke, otherwise around 7:00pm. (1:00pm Eastern Daylight Time).

At the conclusion of the votes, there were will be Vespers in the Sistine Chapel, and at 7:30pm (Rome Time; 1:30pm Eastern Daylight Time), they will return to Santa Marta.

The schedule for the Conclave May 7-8, 2025 4

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