VATICAN CITY - The 133 cardinal electors have taken the oath of secrecy, signaling the official start of the papal conclave. The cardinals gathered inside the Sistine Chapel to swear their commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of the conclave's proceedings. This crucial step precedes the voting process, where the cardinals will deliberate and cast ballots to elect the next Pope.
The oath, administered individually, emphasizes the importance of protecting the integrity of the election process. Cardinals pledge not to reveal any information about the discussions, votes, or decisions made during the conclave. This secrecy is intended to allow the cardinals to freely express their opinions and vote according to their conscience, without external pressure or influence.
With the oath taken, the cardinals will now focus on prayer and reflection as they discern who among them is best suited to lead the Catholic Church. The world watches and waits for the outcome of the conclave, signaled by white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney. The election of a new Pope will mark a significant moment for the global Catholic community.
Cardinals Sworn to Secrecy as Papal Conclave Begins
The 133 cardinal electors have officially begun the process of selecting the next Pope. They took a solemn oath of secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel, promising to keep the deliberations of the conclave confidential. This oath marks the formal start of the papal conclave, a period of intense prayer and discussion. The world awaits the white smoke signaling the election of a new leader for the Catholic Church.
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