Cardinals meet for last preparations before conclave to pick new pope
The College of Cardinals has gathered in the Vatican for the final meeting before the conclave to elect a new pope begins.
All cardinals in the Catholic Church are allowed to participate one last time in the so-called General Congregation of the College of Cardinals on Tuesday.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote for a new pope and therefore permitted in the conclave, the secret meeting which starts on Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel.
It is expected that 133 eligible cardinals - the electors - from around the world will take part in the conclave.
Meanwhile, all the cardinals have arrived in Rome.
The crowd in front of the Vatican gates was large on Tuesday.
For dozens of journalists, it was one of the last opportunities to ask the cardinals about their expectations. However, they appeared very reserved. Many did not walk to the Vatican despite the short distances but arrived by car. "A moment of peace!" one of the cardinals requested.
The election is being followed with great interest worldwide, even in countries without a large Catholic population. There are an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
During the conclave, the cardinals are strictly isolated from the outside world in order to elect a successor to pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
A two-thirds majority is required for the election of a new pope. There is no time limit. In recent times however, conclaves have usually concluded after two or three days.
Shortly after the new pope is elected - indicated by white smoke billowing from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel - an official will pronounce the Latin phrase "habemus papam" (We have a pope) from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, with the name of the new pontiff. The new pope then steps forward to appear before the public for the first time.
Italian police officers and journalists stand outside a guest house where non-Vatican cardinals are staying. The conclave to elect a new pope begins on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the cardinals meet for the last time to prepare for the election and discuss the profile of a possible successor to the late Pope Francis. Oliver Weiken/dpa
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