The Vatican reveals the first images of the Sistine Chapel and the Hall of Tears just hours before the conclave.

In recent hours, the Holy See shared the first images on social media of preparations for the Sistine Chapel , where the 134 cardinal electors will be isolated from the outside world to participate in the conclave and elect the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Inside the enclosure , tables, chairs and the central altar have been arranged , surrounded by a solemn atmosphere, in which the members of the College of Cardinals will have a spiritual and physical retreat to make a decision under the divine influence of God.

Within the same publication, the Vatican's official news portal revealed the renovations made to the Hall of Tears , where the successor to the ecclesiastical throne will be vested after being selected in the voting.

According to the clip released on the X platform, the Supreme Pontiff will find three white cassocks of different sizes, the mozzetta that buttons on the chest, and the stole with which he will impart the papal blessing addressed to the entire world.

Once the cardinal electors have gathered the necessary votes to reveal their decision to the Catholic community, the new Pope must choose the name he will use during his pontificate and enter the small room inside the Sistine Chapel.

This antechamber is known as the Room of Tears and will be the place where the Holy Father will abandon his usual attire to put on the traditional garments of the highest authority in the Church.

According to the ACI Prensa news agency, this room is recognized in the Vatican because it is there that the elected pontiff realizes the responsibility he has been given, causing the newly announced Popes to shut themselves away for a few minutes to weep.

However, it is not just a space dedicated to changing clothes; some use the quiet and privacy of the room to meditate and dedicate words of prayer to God to assume their duties with respect.

In this sense, the dissemination of these images not only brings people a little closer to what the conclave will be like in the coming days, but also reaffirms how important this meeting is for members of the Catholic Church.

Accordingly, thousands of people will be waiting in St. Peter's Square for the white or black smoke , for which the chimney has been installed, hoping to observe the first sign of the papal elections.

The Sistine Chapel is now ready for the Conclave. Also shown is the Hall of Tears, where the new Pope will vest himself after being elected. There, he will find the three-dimensional white cassocks, the mozzetta, and the stole with which he will impart the Urbi et Orbi blessing after the Habemus... pic.twitter.com/ljBBM7J14Q

— Vatican News 🇻🇦 (@news_vaticano) May 6, 2025

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