On Tuesday, cardinals eligible to vote in the secret conclave to elect the next Catholic Pope began checking into two Vatican hotels, marking the start of a historic process to choose the successor to Pope Francis. These cardinals, all under the age of 80, will be sequestered from the outside world as they undertake the solemn task of selecting the new leader of the Catholic Church, which serves 1.4 billion members worldwide.

The conclave, a centuries-old tradition shrouded in secrecy, is set to begin on Wednesday afternoon behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel. During this time, the cardinals will be completely isolated, with no access to external communication, ensuring their deliberations remain confidential and free from outside influence. Only cardinals under 80 years old are permitted to vote, in accordance with Church rules, though older cardinals may participate in preliminary discussions.

The process will continue until a new Pope is chosen, requiring a two-thirds majority of the votes. The world will await the iconic white smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling the successful election of the next pontiff to guide the global Catholic community.