The election of a new Pope starting on Tuesday is expected to be only a short procedure. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told the ANSA News Agency the election process could be over “very quickly”.

Observers expect a relatively short Conclave 2013. The Roman newspaper “La Repubblica” reported on Sunday, that many Cardinals expected that a new Church leader would be found soon. With four daily ballots, the Cardinals want to elect a new pontiff in the upcoming conclave.

Smoke after two ballots

On Tuesday evening, the opening day, a first vote is already scheduled, in accordance with the electoral code. “With four rounds per day, it is easy to orient the votes on those candidates who can unite the strongest consent on themselves,” Lombardi said.

As of Wednesday, the 115 electors want to cast a vote twice each morning and afternoon. If the ballot fails, the second followes immediately; afterwards, the ballots are burned along with a dark smoke cartridge. This should be the case each day around noon and 7:00 p.m., Lombardi announced reported. Once the election was successful, the notes will be burned immediately with a white smoke cartridge.

Full day program

During the Conclave breakfast is provided for the Cardinals in their guest house in Santa Marta between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.. At 7:45, they will leave for the Apostolic Palace, where they altogether will celebrate a mass in the Pauline chapel between 8:15 and 9:15 a.m.. Starting at 9:30 a.m., the first two rounds of voting will take place in the Sistine Chapel. After a break at 12:30 a.m., and a lunch at the guest house, the Cardinals return to the Sistine Chapel at around 4:00 p.m. for the next two rounds of voting.

After three unsuccessful voting days, there will be a break for reflection and meditation. This is followed by seven more ballots followed by a pause. After 34 unsuccessful ballots, the Cardinals proceed to a runoff. At this point, the two Cardinals with the highest number of votes, may no longer cast a vote themselfs.