Confirmed this morning in Rome – before being sequestered for the Conclave the Cardinals will celebrate Mass at 10 AM (4 AM EST) on May 7th in Rome. Conclave commences at 4:30 PM (10:30 AM EST).

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the votive Mass for the Election of the Pope (Pro Eligendo Papa), which will be celebrated at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The conclave will officially begin at 4:30 PM with a prayer service in the Pauline Chapel, attended by the Cardinal electors who will pray the Litany of the Saints before entering in procession into the Sistine Chapel.

They will sing the Veni Creator and then make their solemn oath to faithfully fulfill the Munus Petrinum if they are elected Pope and to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the conclave.