All 133 cardinal electors have arrived in Rome to participate in the conclave for the election of a successor to Pope Francis, the Vatican announced on Monday.

The conclave is scheduled to officially commence on Wednesday, during which cardinal electors, those under the age of 80, will gather in the Sistine Chapel and vote until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority to become the leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

On Monday morning, technicians installed red curtains on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, through which the newly elected pope will make his first public appearance.

Cardinals, both electors and non-electors, are currently engaging in 'general congregations', private meetings where they establish the profile of Peter’s successor and the priorities for the next papacy.

During these sessions, the future pope has been characterized as 'a figure who must be present, close, able to play a role of bridge and guide', addressing 'a disoriented humanity'.

The anticipated pastoral leader is expected to confront numerous challenges, including the environmental crisis, wars, and 'the fragmentation of the world', as well as 'internal divisions within the Church'.

This description closely mirrors that of the late pope, who was described as 'revolutionary' by some and whose 12-year pontificate was marked by significant popularity alongside internal opposition.

The faithful have also voiced their opinions regarding the qualifications for the future pope.

The late pope, known for enacting profound reforms within the two-millennia-old institution, appointed approximately 80% of the electors, particularly in regions marginalized by the Church or distant from Europe.

This restructuring has led to the current conclave, which is set to be the most international in history, with representatives from 70 countries across all five continents.

Emerging names among the 'papabili' or favored candidates include Italians Pietro Parolin and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Maltese Mario Grech, French Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline, and Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle.

Analysts caution that, similar to the election of Jorge Bergoglio in 2013, 'a surprise' candidate may also emerge, indicating that this is likely to be 'the most spectacular conclave in the last fifty years'.

A well-known saying in Rome reflects the unpredictable nature of these conclaves: 'Who enters as pope leaves as a cardinal'.

Preparations are underway at the Vatican.

The Sistine Chapel has been arranged to accommodate the medieval ceremonial proceedings beginning Wednesday afternoon, beneath the majestic frescoes of Michelangelo, including the iconic Last Judgment.

On Monday, the personnel assisting the cardinals during the conclave—maintenance staff, chefs, medical personnel—were sworn to secrecy, on penalty of excommunication.

In the following days, the cardinals will be isolated from the outside world, voting four times daily—twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon—through secret ballots, which will then be burned in a stove.

The world will be closely monitoring the metal chimney protruding from the chapel roof; white smoke will indicate a successful election after two rounds of voting, while black smoke will signify that the required two-thirds majority—89 votes—has not been achieved.