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Papal Conclave Begins

Cardinals meet to elect pope

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• April 18: Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican
• April 18: Master of Liturgical Celebrations Archbishop Piero Marini closes the door of the Sistine Chapel.
• April 18: The doors to Sistine Chapel are closed as Cardinals start conclave to elect new pope.
• April 18: Cardinals take the secrecy oath in the Sistine Chapel.
• April 18: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger leads a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
• April 18: Cardinals attend mass before the conclave in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
• April 18: Cardinals attend a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
• April 18: Cardinals walk in procession during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
• April 18: Cardinals exchange the sign of peace during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
• April 18: Cardinals pray during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
• April 16: Tables and chairs line the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in preparation for the conclave.
• Two stoves are set up in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in preparation for the upcoming conclave.
• April 15: A worker attaches a chimney to the roof of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.