In brief
In a historical gathering inside the Sistine Chapel, 133 cardinals have formally commenced the conclave by taking an oath under the directives set by Pope John Paul II in 1996. The senior cardinal led the proceedings, reciting the oath in Latin, wherein each cardinal pledged to honor the rules of the conclave and to faithfully uphold the spiritual and temporal rights of the Holy See. The solemn ceremony emphasizes the confidentiality of the proceedings, ensuring that all votes and notes are handled in secrecy. With pledges not to yield to external pressures, the cardinals affirmed their commitment to the traditions passed down since the times of St. Peter, marking the start of a critical chapter in the selection of the next pontiff.
In a pledge steeped in tradition, the cardinals reaffirm their commitment to the mission of St. Peter and confidentiality of conclave proceedings.
