The College of Cardinals confirmed that 135 members are eligible to participate in the conclave, the Vatican announced, and they asked the faithful to accompany them in prayer as they prepare to elect the next pope.
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Vatican Drivers, Staff To Swear Oath of Secrecy Ahead of Conclave
One by one, placing a right hand on the Book of Gospels, staff driving, cooking, cleaning and caring for the cardinals who will elect a new pope will swear an oath of perpetual secrecy about the election of the 267th successor of St. Peter.
Conclave Has Most Cardinals, Widest Geographical Mix in History
The conclave that begins May 7 is expected to be the largest in history, with a wide geographical mix of cardinal-electors.
Past Conclaves Give Idea of When To Watch for Smoke From Sistine Chapel
The cardinals who enter the Sistine Chapel May 7 to elect a new pope use smoke signals to communicate with the outside world.
U.S. Cardinals Who Will Enter Conclave To Elect Pope
A list of the U.S. cardinals who are under the age of 80 and eligible to enter the conclave May 7 to elect a new pope: