Inside the Sistine Chapel

When cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope Tuesday, its great door will be closed to let the secret conclave begin.
When cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope Tuesday, its great door will be closed to let the secret conclave begin.
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Vatican employees worked inside the Sistine Chapel on Friday. Their preparations for the conclave included the installation of a communications shield that will block electronic communications.
Vatican employees worked inside the Sistine Chapel on Friday. Their preparations for the conclave included the installation of a communications shield that will block electronic communications.
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The Renaissance jewel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who had it built between 1477 and 1480. Here, workers stood on scaffolding inside the chapel on March 5.
The Renaissance jewel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who had it built between 1477 and 1480. Here, workers stood on scaffolding inside the chapel on March 5.
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A false floor was built to even out the stairs and to cover the jamming equipment that has been installed to prevent cellphones and eavesdropping devices from working.
A false floor was built to even out the stairs and to cover the jamming equipment that has been installed to prevent cellphones and eavesdropping devices from working.
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Workmen staple-gunned brown felt carpeting to the false floor on Friday.
Workmen staple-gunned brown felt carpeting to the false floor on Friday.
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Workers painted a wall inside the Sistine Chapel on Friday.
Workers painted a wall inside the Sistine Chapel on Friday.
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The Floreria, the Vatican department in charge of preparing for papal audiences and ceremonies, has been outfitting the chapel for the conclave.
The Floreria, the Vatican department in charge of preparing for papal audiences and ceremonies, has been outfitting the chapel for the conclave.
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A woman worked Friday at a sewing machine to make the skirting for the tables where cardinals will sit.
A woman worked Friday at a sewing machine to make the skirting for the tables where cardinals will sit.
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The chapel was off limits to visitors during the preparations.
The chapel was off limits to visitors during the preparations.
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Two ovens with one common flue were installed for the burning of the votes. One oven, right, dates back to 1939, and the other one was added in 2005.
Two ovens with one common flue were installed for the burning of the votes. One oven, right, dates back to 1939, and the other one was added in 2005.
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The ballot papers are burned in the older cast iron oven, at right, while chemicals are burned in the auxiliary stove. The smoke from the chemicals joins the burned ballot smoke in the single copper pipe.
The ballot papers are burned in the older cast iron oven, at right, while chemicals are burned in the auxiliary stove. The smoke from the chemicals joins the burned ballot smoke in the single copper pipe.
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The Sistine Chapel features one of art history’s most famous scenes, depicting God stretching out his arm to touch Adam’s hand and give him life.
The Sistine Chapel features one of art history’s most famous scenes, depicting God stretching out his arm to touch Adam’s hand and give him life.
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View of the Sistine Chapel, bottom left, and St. Peter’s Square, from the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, March 5.
View of the Sistine Chapel, bottom left, and St. Peter’s Square, from the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, March 5.
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On Saturday, firefighters installed the chimney top that will tell the outside world if a pope has been elected (white smoke) or not (black).
On Saturday, firefighters installed the chimney top that will tell the outside world if a pope has been elected (white smoke) or not (black).
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While some papal elections centuries back lasted years, conclaves held in the past century have wrapped up in two to five days. The March 12 start gives cardinals time to choose a new pope before the March 24 beginning of Holy Week.
While some papal elections centuries back lasted years, conclaves held in the past century have wrapped up in two to five days. The March 12 start gives cardinals time to choose a new pope before the March 24 beginning of Holy Week.
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