Solemn ceremony of new Pope election launched in Vatican

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: The heavy wooden doors to the Sistine Chapel swung closed Tuesday, signaling the start of the secret election, or conclave, in which 115 Roman Catholic cardinals will pick the next pope. Now all eyes will turn to the chimney installed on the roof of the historic chapel, reports Armenpress, referring to CNN.

From this point on, the only clue the world will have of what is happening inside will be periodic puffs of smoke that follow each round of voting. Black smoke, no pope. White smoke, success.

On a day rich with symbolism, the scarlet-clad cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in solemn procession, chanting prayers and watched over by the magnificent paintings of Renaissance artist Michelangelo.

Each of the cardinal, electors, those under age 80 who are eligible to vote, then swore an oath of secrecy, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the most senior cardinal in the conclave.

A designated official then gave the order in Latin, "Extra omnes" -- that is, "Those who are extra, leave."

With all those not taking part in the conclave gone, the cardinals will remain locked in total isolation until one candidate can garner two-thirds of their votes.

That man will emerge from the process as the new spiritual leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. The cardinals will probably vote Tuesday, but they don't have to, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said Monday.

If they do, it's likely the first smoke might be seen around 8 p.m. (3 p.m. ET), he said.

Earlier, the cardinals celebrated a special morning Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, where they prayed for guidance in making a choice that could be crucial to the future direction of a church rocked by scandal in recent years. Members of the public waited in long lines Tuesday morning to join the Mass, which was open to all. Applause echoed around St. Peter's as Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, offered thanks for the "brilliant pontificate" of Benedict XVI, whose unexpected resignation precipitated the selection of a new pope.

Sodano's homily focused on a message of love and unity, calling on all to cooperate with the new pontiff in the service of the church.

"My brothers, let us pray that the Lord will grant us a pontiff who will embrace this noble mission with a generous heart," he concluded.