Final prayers, reflection before conclave begins in Vatican

On Wednesday morning, cardinals participated in a liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica before stepping away for a final break before the critical next phase of the papal elections begins.

Later this afternoon, they will enter the Sistine Chapel to commence the secretive process of selecting the next pope — the successor to Pope Francis.

Before filing out of the basilica, the cardinals listened to a poignant homily delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Though no longer eligible to vote due to his age, Cardinal Re used his address to offer what many interpreted as a reflection of Pope Francis' legacy, encouraging the Church to embrace its global diversity.

“The unity of the Church is willed by Christ; a unity that does not mean uniformity, but a firm and profound communion in diversity, provided that full fidelity to the Gospel is maintained,” he said.

His words are likely to linger with the cardinal electors as they prepare for one of the most consequential decisions in the Catholic Church.

The next public moment will be the cardinals’ solemn procession into the Sistine Chapel, where voting will begin behind closed doors under the frescoes of Michelangelo.