Sistine Chapel: Witness of all papal elections from 1492 conclave | WORLD

The Sistine chapel, the great jewel of the Vatican with the most famous frescoes of Miguel Ángel, to host the conclave that began on May 7 to choose the new Pope after Francisco’s death last April 21 at age 88.

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This majestic stage with the frescoes of Miguel Ángel, but also by Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandio, It ceases to be for a few days the fate of thousands and thousands of tourists, eager to admire their art, to become the headquarters of one of the most solemn and reserved rites of the Catholic Church.

Witness of all papal elections since 1492, with five exceptions, the enclosure is prepared again for another historic decision: The one of the 133 Electoral cardinals That, gathered behind closed doors, they will proceed to the choice of Francisco’s substitute and new bishop of Rome.

The Sistine Chapel, which owes its name to Pope Sixtus IV that ordered to build it (1475-1483), remains closed since last Monday.

It is part of the usual route of the Vatican museums and one of the main attractions of the Pontifical State.

The choice of the new pontiff will take place under the imposing look of the “Last judgment”, Miguel Ángel’s masterpiece that covers the altar wall and presides over the space where the voting urn and the lectern with the gospel are placed, on which the cardinals will provide an oath at the beginning of the conclave.

They are also witnesses at the moment fresh ceiling, who were commissioned to Miguel Ángel by Julio II and showing scenes of the Old and New Testament of the Bible, including “the creation of Adam”, in which God extends his finger to touch the extended hand of the first man.

After completing the fresh roof between 1508 and 1512, Miguel Ángel returned to the Sistine more than 20 years later to paint the “final judgment” on the wall behind the altar, which was revealed in 1541 and that will preside over the conclave.

The decision to celebrate the Conclave in the Sistine Chapel was reaffirmed during the pontificate of John Paul II, who established that everything in the chapel “helps to make the presence of God more alive.”

Sistine chapel,

A small group of trusted personnel, carefully selected and subject to constant surveillance to prevent any recording or information filtration attempthe worked these previous days in a meticulous way to adapt the chapel to the demands of the event.

Inside the chapel, 40 meters long, 13 wide and 21 high, two rows of tables are arranged on each sideplaced in parallel and with the second row slightly high so that all cardinals can see each other at all times.

For the last conclave, that of 2013 and in which Pope Francis was chosen, 12 wooden tables were placed, 6 on each side, covered with beige and burgundy satin cloths, and cherry wood chairs with the name of each of the 115 purple that participated. On this occasion, with 133 cardinals, some more will be needed.

During the conclave, the cardinals are subject to strict isolation: they are not allowed to make phone calls, send messages or access the media, in order to avoid any external influence.

Secretism is such that, although all areas of the Vatican museums are strictly guarded with security cameras, during the time the conclave lasts this system must be disconnected to prevent any type of recording.

In addition, to facilitate the mobility of the sloping and avoid the use of stairs, the level of the pavement is raised to match that of the altar, creating flat access to the heart of the conclave.