Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Vatican has closed the Sistine Chapel in preparation for the upcoming conclave to elect his successor. A nine-day mourning period is underway, after which the cardinals will gather in the chapel to elect the new pope. Key tasks include the installation of the chimney for sending smoke signals to announce the election results. The conclave is expected to commence between May 5 and May 10, marking a pivotal moment for the Catholic Churchâs future direction.
Visitors who managed to see the Sistine Chapel on Sunday considered themselves fortunate, given the uncertainty over how long the chapel will remain closed to the public.
According to church law, the conclave may only begin after the nine-day mourning period, meaning the vote is expected to start between 5 and 10 May.
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