Today is Conclave Day

Today, at 10 AM local time, the College of Cardinals celebrated the Holy Mass for the Election of the Pope, prior to starting the Conclave, the process of papal election later on today. "Conclave" is a word of Latin origin, "con clave," which means "under key," in the sense of "under lock and key." It refers to the fact that Cardinals lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel in order to protect their independence as papal electors. The College of Cardinals, as you may know, is the modern incarnation of Rome's ancient Presbytery or Council of Priests, who in the past elected their Bishop, hence the Pope, in this fashion. Let us pray:

Lord God, you are our eternal shepherd and guide. In your mercy grant your Church a shepherd who will walk in your ways and whose watchful care will bring us your blessing. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

- Read more about the Conclave and the Papal Interregnum at EWTN.