Here is the outline for the timetable for the Papal Conclave:

PLEASE NOTE: ALL times are local to Rome i.e. an hour ahead of Ireland!

March 12: 3:45 p.m.  — Transfer from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Apostolic Palace. 4:30 p.m.  — Procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel. 4:45 p.m.  — Oaths, meditation by Cardinal Prosper Grech, first ballot. 7:15 p.m.  — Vespers in the Sistine Chapel. 7:30 p.m. — Transfer to the Domus Sanctae Marthae. 8:00 p.m.  — Dinner.

March 13-15 or until election of a pope: 6:30-7:30 a.m.  — Breakfast. 7:45 a.m.  — Transfer to the Pauline Chapel. 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m.  — Mass in the Pauline Chapel. 9:30 a.m.  — Prayer and two rounds of voting. 12:30 p.m.  — Transfer to the Domus Sanctae Marthae. 1 p.m.  — Lunch. 4 p.m.  — Transfer to the Apostolic Palace. 4:50 p.m.  — Two more rounds of voting. 7:15 p.m.  — Vespers in the Sistine Chapel. 7:30 p.m.  — Transfer to the Domus Sanctae Marthae. 8 p.m.  — Dinner.

When might we see White smoke? When the balloting is unsuccessful — no candidate reaches the 2/3 votes needed for election — two votes are taken in the morning and two are taken in the afternoon. The two morning or two afternoon ballots are burned together, so there are only two smoke signals a day.

The first smoke signal can be expected about 7 p.m. Tuesday, after the first vote.

Beginning Wednesday, smoke would be expected at about noon and again about 7 p.m.

However, if a pope is elected on the first ballot of the morning, the white smoke would billow forth between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. If he is elected on the first ballot of the afternoon, the white smoke would be seen between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

After a white smoke signal, it takes about 40-45 minutes before the announcement of the name of the candidate who won as he must accept the office, change to white vestments and the cardinals then pledge their obedience and pray again.

You can also register for an email alert when the news is announced by visiting http://popealarm.com/

 

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