Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Independent TV

Showing now | News

Cardinals celebrate final Mass ahead of conclave to elect new pope

03:01

Watch cardinals celebrate final Mass ahead of conclave to elect new pope

Cardinals and other members of the clergy have celebrated a mass at St Peter’s Basilica ahead of the conclave.

Cardinals convened in Vatican City on Wednesday, commencing the centuries-old papal conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

The 133 electors gathered in St. Peter's Basilica for Mass before entering the Sistine Chapel, where they will be sequestered, cut off from outside communication, for the secret ballot.

The world watches for the telltale smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black smoke signifying an inconclusive vote, and white smoke heralding the election of a new pope.

Up next

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in