On May 3 (local time), foreign media reported that a stove to burn ballots during the conclave (the secret meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope) had been installed in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.
On this day, the Holy See released a video showing preparations for the conclave, including the installation of the stove and flooring in the Sistine Chapel. The video also shows Vatican workers aligning rows of wooden desks where the cardinals will sit and vote, and installing a ramp so that a cardinal in a wheelchair can access his seat.
Following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the conclave to elect a new pope will be held in the Sistine Chapel starting May 7. A total of 133 cardinals are expected to participate in the conclave.
On May 7, the College of Cardinals will hold the first vote in the Sistine Chapel. If no candidate receives more than two-thirds of the votes (at least 89 votes), voting will continue twice each morning and afternoon from the next day until a new pope is elected. After each vote, the ballots are burned: white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen, while black smoke indicates that no decision has been made, informing the world of the outcome.
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