Latest from Rome and beyond

• 'EVERYONE OUT' | 12:00 p.m. ET

Following the opening oath, Archbishop Piero Marini, the master of papal ceremonies, said in Latin “Extra omnes” --“Everyone out,” leaving the cardinals sitting side-by-side on two sets of double-rowed tables stretching down the chapel.

As the wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel closed, applause broke out in St. Peter’s Square where thousands of faithful had followed the opening ceremony on giant television screens.

“If you don’t believe, you think this is like politics. But if you believe, as I do, in the power of prayer, you know they will be illuminated to make the right choice,” said Annick Vandamme, who travelled from Paris to witness the occasion.

Of the eight 20th century conclaves, none took longer than five days, and two were completed on the second day.

• THE OATH | 11:07 a.m. ET

The following is the oath sworn by cardinals on Monday. The first part of the oath was read out jointly by the cardinals. The second part was being read out by each cardinal in turn, placing his hand on a book of the Gospels in the Sistine Chapel.

Both were read in Latin. The following is an official Vatican translation.

--FIRST PART

"We, the Cardinal electors present in this election of the Supreme Pontiff promise, pledge and swear, as individuals and as a group, to observe faithfully and scrupulously the prescriptions contained in the Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregis, published on 22 February 1996.

"We likewise promise, pledge and swear that whichever of us by divine disposition is elected Roman Pontiff will commit himself faithfully to carrying out the munus Petrinum of Pastor of the Universal Church and will not fail to affirm and defend strenuously the spiritual and temporal rights and the liberty of the Holy See.

"In a particular way, we promise and swear to observe with the greatest fidelity and with all persons, clerical or lay, secrecy regarding everything that in any way relates to the election of the Roman Pontiff and regarding what occurs in the place of the election, directly or indirectly related to the results of the voting; we promise and swear not to break this secret in any way, either during or after the election of the new Pontiff, unless explicit authorization is granted by the same pontiff; and never to lend support or favor to any interference, opposition or any other form of intervention, whereby secular authorities of whatever order and degree or any group of people or individuals might wish to intervene in the election of the Roman Pontiff."

--SECOND PART

"And I, N. Cardinal N., do so promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand."

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