Faithful watch a giant screen displaying images of Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, closing the doors of the Sistine chapel as the conclave to elect a new Pope starts, at St Peter's Square in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)
Vatican City: The doors of the Sistine Chapel closed on Wednesday, signalling the beginning of the conclave in which 133 cardinals will elect the successor to Pope Francis, according to a live video broadcast by the Vatican.
At approximately 17:45 (1545 GMT), the master of ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, shut the heavy doors from the inside of the famous chapel after calling out in a solemn voice the Latin phrase "Extra Omnes", ordering all those not involved in the vote to leave.
