for the Election of the Roman Pontiff

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A Timetable of the First Day of Conclave

What will happen today in the first day of the Conclave (Tuesday, 12 March 2013)? All the time noted below are in Rome time (CET, Central European Time, 1 hour ahead of UTC (UTC+1)).

Some event are live from Vatican Player at http://www.vatican.va/video/ and the live recording from Rome Reports : http://www.romereports.com/palio/modules.php?name=Content3&pa=showpage&newlang=english&pid=47#.UT4XGVeJegH

 

1. (Live) Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff / Missa pro Eligendo Pontifice : 10 am. This Mass will officially begin the Conclave and will be offered for prayers for the election of the Pope.

2. Cardinal-electors leave the Domus Sancta Marthae where they stay for the Pauline Chapel : 3.45 pm

3. (Live) Cardinal-electors begin the procession into Sistine Chapel from Pauline Chapel, while singing Veni Creator Spiritus and the Litany of the Saints : 4.30 pm

4. (Live) Oath of secrecy by the Cardinal-electors and the extra omnes order by Monsignor Guido Marini : 4.45 pm, then meditation by Cardinal Prosper Grech of Malta (2nd meditation)

5. Conclave and first ballot : about 5 pm – 7 pm, smoke should appear between 7-8 pm Rome time. If white, means a new Pope has been elected, but this is unlikely to happen. (Smoke and the chimney can be seen live through either Vatican Player or Rome Reports page I mentioned above)

6. Vespers celebrated by the Cardinal-electors : 7.15 pm

7. Cardinal-electors return to Domus Sancta Marthae, their residence during the period of the Conclave : 7.30 pm

 

These are just rough timing, and as this is the first ballot, the Cardinal-electors may still need time, especially the first-timers, in getting used to the rules and proceedings of the Conclave and thus might be delayed slightly.

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Missa pro Eligendo Pontifice/Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff and the beginning of the Conclave

Both events are live from Rome, at Vatican Player, http://www.vatican.va/video/ and I believe are also covered live by several Catholic televisions in the USA, Canada, and other countries.

 

1. Missa pro Eligendo Pontifice / Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff

The Cardinals present in Rome, all the Cardinal-electors that will be entering the Conclave, will first gather for a Solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday morning, 12 March 2013 at 10 am Rome time (CET or UTC+1). The Mass will be lead by the Cardinal Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who is a non-elector.

Time in other parts of the world :

Tuesday, 12 March 2013 at 9 am UTC // 4 am EST // 1 am PST // 4 pm WIB or UTC+7 // 5 pm Singapore time or UTC+8

 

2. Beginning of the Conclave : Entry of the Cardinal-electors into the Sistine Chapel

The Cardinal-electors will assemble in Pauline Chapel on Tuesday afternoon, and the event will begin live at 4.30 pm Rome time (CET or UTC+1). The Cardinals will wear their full choir dress and then will proceed into the Sistine Chapel while singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus to invoke the Holy Spirit.

Then in the Sistine Chapel, the Cardinal-electors will take their oath, beginning with the senior Cardinal Bishop-elector, Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re, who leads the Conclave, and then the famous ‘extra omnes’ or ‘everybody else out’ order will be said by the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Guido Marini.

Time in other parts of the world :

Tuesday, 12 March 2013 at 3.30 pm UTC // 10.30 am EST // 7.30 am PST // 11.30 pm WIB or UTC+7 //  Wednesday, 00.30 am Singapore time or UTC+8

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(Update) Summary of the Fifth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals : Thursday, 7 March 2013

http://www.news.va/en/news/general-congregations-with-all-electors-present-st

Rumour had mentioned that the St. Peter’s Basilica is booked for the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff (Missa pro Eligendo Pontifice), but has been dismissed as untrue by Fr. Federico Lombardi, head of the Holy See Press Office.

152 Cardinals attended the Fifth General Congregation, with 114 Cardinal-electors attending. The last Cardinal-elector to arrive, Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh-Man of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam will arrive in time to attend the Sixth General Congregation on Thursday evening.

New Particular Congregation leaders are elected to aid the Camerlengo during this period with term of 3 days each cycle. Particular Congregation is only limited to Cardinal-electors and divided into three groups depending on the orders of the Cardinals (Bishops, priests, or deacons), and also scheduled to meet among themselves for discussions.

1. Cardinal Bishops : Cardinal Bechara Rai (Cardinal-Patriarch)

2. Cardinal Priests : Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Zaire

3. Cardinal Deacons : Cardinal Velasio de Paolis

Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano has also read and sent the letter of condolence to the late Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez.