In a significant transition marked by the passing of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88, the Vatican has officially closed the iconic Sistine Chapel to tourists. This sacred space will soon host the cardinals who gather for the conclave tasked with selecting the next leader of the Catholic Church. Following a grand funeral held in St. Peter’s Square, attended by global leaders and hundreds of thousands of mourners, the church enters a nine-day period of mourning before the conclave can commence.
The closure of the Sistine Chapel signifies a shift from tourism to the solemn duties of the church. Visitors who managed to tour the chapel prior to its closure felt fortunate, knowing that the duration of the conclave and the resulting inaccessibility of this gem of the Vatican Museums could be indefinite. “I think we felt very lucky to be able to be the last group of visitors to come in today,” remarked Sumon Khan, a tourist from the United States. “You know, our trip would not have been complete without seeing this beautiful place.”
As the Vatican prepares for this ancient process, one essential task involves the installation of the chimney where ballots will be burned post-voting. The conclave is set to begin following the nine-day mourning period, anticipated to fall between May 5 and May 10. During this period, the cardinals will solemnly enter the chapel to engage in a secretive election process believed to be guided by the Holy Spirit. This process will ultimately lead to the selection of the next pope, who will preside over a congregation of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The choice of the new pontiff is pivotal, as it will shape the future direction of the Catholic Church. Cardinals will deliberate whether to continue Pope Francis’ mission, which emphasized outreach to the poor, marginalized communities, and environmental stewardship, or to select a leader with a more conservative approach reminiscent of predecessors like Benedict XVI who prioritized doctrinal adherence.
As the cardinals prepare for the conclave, they will draw inspiration from the breathtaking beauty of the frescoes that adorn the chapel, particularly Michelangelo’s renowned work, “The Creation of Adam.” This masterpiece depicts God extending his hand to impart life to the first man, symbolizing the divine connection at the heart of the church’s mission. The Sistine Chapel, named after Pope Sixtus IV, was later transformed by Pope Julius II, who commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling between 1508 and 1512 and the Last Judgment on the altar wall.
When the conclave officially opens, the cardinals will chant the Litany of Saints, a solemn Gregorian chant invoking the intercession of the saints as they enter the chapel and take an oath of secrecy. The chapel’s thick doors will then be closed, and the master of liturgy will announce “Extra omnes,” signaling the end of public access. This tradition aims to protect the integrity of the voting process from any external influence.
The world will hold its breath for the first sign that a successor to Pope Francis has been chosen. If black smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel's chimney, it will indicate that the cardinals have not yet reached the two-thirds majority required for a new pope. Conversely, when a pope is finally elected, white smoke will billow forth, accompanied by the ringing of bells, heralding the arrival of the new leader of the Catholic Church.
As the Vatican enters this pivotal moment in its history, the eyes of the world remain fixed on the conclave that will shape the future of the Catholic faith.
