VATICAN CITY, APR 18, 2005 (VIS) - The 115 cardinal electors from 52 countries of 5 continents entered into conclave in the Sistine Chapel this afternoon.
At 4:30 p.m. the cardinals gathered in the Hall of Blessings, which is located above the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica, and overlooks the square. It is from the central loggia or balcony of this hall that the new pontiff appears for the first time to the faithful.
Preceded by the Cross and followed by the Book of Gospels, the cardinals processed to the nearby Sistine Chapel as the Litany of Saints was sung. Once in the chapel, after the singing of "Veni Creator," they pronounced their oath as established by the "Ordo Rituum Conclavis."
When the master of pontifical liturgical ceremonies declared "extra omnes," all those not involved in the conclave left the chapel except the cardinal electors and Cardinal Tomas Spidlik, 85 who, when he finished delivering the second meditation, also left the chapel.
Black smoke, indicating that the cardinals voted but that no Pope was elected, rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 8:04 p.m.
CC/CONCLAVE/... VIS 20050418 (140)
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