Conclave Entry Notification: Key Details for May 2025

On 7 May 2025 at 16:30, the Conclave for electing the Roman Pontiff will commence, adhering to the Ordo Rituum Conclavis regulations. Cardinal Electors must arrive at the Pauline Chapel by 16:15, dressed in their formal attire, with the Eastern Church Cardinals in their respective habits. The entry procession will feature key participants, including the Cardinal reading the meditation and members from various ecclesiastical bodies. The Sistine Chapel will open to specific officials including pontifical staff and the Swiss Guard at 16:00. The event is overseen by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations as mandated by the College of Cardinals.

advtanmoy 09/05/2025 2 minutes read

Notice from the Office of Liturgical Celebrations: Entry into the Conclave, 29.04.2025

NOTIFICATION

ENTRY INTO THE CONCLAVE

On Wednesday, 7 May 2025, at 16.30, 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 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 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, 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

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