Pilgrims arrive in St. Peter’s Square as conclave begins

VATICAN CITY – As cardinal-electors proceed inside the Sistine Chapel, pilgrims from all over the world start taking positions in St. Peter’s Square to await the result of today’s first vote in the papal conclave.

Each cardinal who takes his oath is live-streamed on the large screens in the square, providing a look at the cardinal electors before they are completely locked inside the Sistine Chapel for the election. Mobile connections around the Chapel were already cut off.

Meanwhile, from the terrace of Braccio di Carlo Magno in the colonades of St. Peter's Square, GMA Integrated News reporters can see the Philippine flag hung in the fence by Filipino pilgrims.

Approximately 80 journalists and media personnel are also stationed in the terrace, overlooking the St. Peter’s Basilica and part of the roof of the Sistine Chapel on which chimney is installed.

The "chimney watch" starts as the cardinal electors have been locked inside the Sistine chapel to begin the secretive selection of the next pope. The first vote is expected to be cast by the prelates between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Thursday (Manila time). — BAP, GMA Integrated News