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VATICAN CITY // The cardinals gathered April 29 for the sixth General Congregation and announced the procedures for the upcoming conclave, including details on non-cardinals who will be permitted to attend.
The details, issued by the Vatican Press Office, states that on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Rome time, the entrance into the conclave and the oath for the election of the Roman Pontiff will take place, as provided for by the Ordo Rituum Conclavis (The Order for the Rituals for a Conclave).
The Cardinal Electors will gather at 4:15 p.m. in the Pauline Chapel, located within the Apostolic Palace, between the Sala Regia (Royal Hall) and the Sistine Chapel.
Cardinals of the Latin rite will wear the red robe with sash, rochet, mozzetta (short cape), pectoral cross with red and gold cord, ring, zucchetto (skullcap), and biretta (four-cornered cap). The Cardinals of the Eastern Churches will wear their own choir dress.
From the Pauline Chapel, at the singing of the Litany of the Saints, the cardinal-electors will proceed in procession to the Sistine Chapel where, after the singing of the song to the Holy Spirit, Veni Creator, will pronounce the prescribed oath.
In addition to the cardinal-electors, the following will take part in the procession, meeting in the Sala Regia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace at 4 p.m. and wearing their proper choir dress:
- Cardinal who will dictate the meditation
- Secretary of the Conclave and Vice-Camerlengo Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari
- The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations
- Two members of the College of Apostolic Prothonotaries
- Two members of the College of Prelate Auditors of the Roman Rota
- The Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies
- The secretary of the cardinal — Cardinal Pietro Parolin — who presides over the conclave
- The Pontifical Musical Choir
At 4 p.m., these additional persons will be able to enter the Sistine Chapel:
- Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra
- Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Secretariat of State Archbishop Paul Gallagher
- Regent of the Pontifical Household Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza
- Religious staff of the Pontifical Sacristy
- Priests in charge of confessions
- Colonel of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps.
Service personnel of the Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps, Directorate of Health and Hygiene, and Floreria (Vatican flower shop); the Dicastery for Communication will also be present, with special permission.
