The conclave in the Vatican begins. Smoke will appear in the evening

In the evening, the first smoke will appear over the Sistine Chapel, which will inform the faithful whether a new pope has been elected. 133 cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to choose Francis' successor. Although the last conclave was short, this one may last longer due to the number of electors and the fact that they do not know each other.

The conclave will begin at 4:30 p.m., when the 133 electors will solemnly enter the Sistine Chapel. The first vote will take place shortly thereafter, and the first smoke can be expected around 6 p.m.

Preparations for the conclave begin in the first days after the death of a pope. Cardinals from all over the world come to the Vatican and participate in congregations - meetings where they discuss not only the state and future of the Church, but also their own views.

Until the day of the conclave, all cardinals report to the Casa Santa Marta , which becomes their place of residence for the duration of the elections. They take their rooms by lottery drawn by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell. Since they must be cut off from the outside world and information, those who normally live in the Casa Santa Marta (priests of the Roman Curia) temporarily move out.

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At 10:00 the Holy Mass Pro eligendo Romano Pontifice (for the election of the Roman Pontiff) will begin. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over it. Then everyone will go to the Sistine Chapel, and at 16:30, singing the Litany of the Saints and the hymn to the Holy Spirit "Veni Creator", they will enter the election site. The order of entry is determined by the age of the electors.

The electors must swear an oath of secrecy and faithfully observe the rules of canon law regarding the election of a pope. After that, the voting begins. Only one is scheduled for Wednesday, which means that smoke will emerge from the chimney immediately after it, telling of the course of the election.

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If a pope is not elected on May 7, the cardinals will hold the votes in the morning and in the evening . The smoke may appear around noon, and later after 5:00 p.m., but only in the event of a positive outcome. If there is no election, the ballots will be burned once - in the evening.

A pope will be elected if one of the electors receives at least two-thirds of the votes, in this case 89. Over the last century, conclaves have not lasted longer than five days. In the case of both Benedict XVI and Francis , the election was made on the second day.

Not only the Vatican , but also Rome is prepared for the conclave. In the capital of Italy there are more police, military and secret service patrols. People entering St. Peter's Square are additionally checked.

- Italian authorities have increased security, there is much more police, Vatican gendarmerie, army, security services. There are additional checks, electronics checks around the Vatican - Mirella Bagdzińska, a guide in Rome and the Vatican, told Polsat News.

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The guide added that this situation has been taking place since the funeral of Francis , when almost 200 delegations from all over the world came to Italy.

Since the election of a new pope coincides with the Jubilee Year, Rome is overcrowded and there is no hope of finding a place to stay. Restaurants, shops and cafes are full. A crowd is gathered in St. Peter's Square, waiting for the white smoke over the Sistine Chapel.