Inside the Vatican: A Photo Gallery

During the days before a new pope is announced, journalists gather and the Catholic community prepares inside the Vatican.

The Pauline Chapel where cardinals gather before going into the Sistine Chapel. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson.

Sally Morrow

March 10, 2013 at 11:34 a.m. ET

During the days before a new pope is announced, journalists gather and the Catholic community prepares inside the Vatican. Religion News Service photos by David Gibson

Click on any image below to view the slideshow.

The door through which the cardinals enter the chapel at the Vatican. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

The stoves where cardinals burn the ballots and add chemicals to make the color. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson.

The chimney that will carry the smoke up and out of the chapel roof to indicate whether or not the conclave has selected a new pope depending upon the color. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

The facade and balcony of St. Peter’s where the next pope will appear. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

A statue of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

A poster of Pope Benedict XVI on the streets of Rome. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

The press room at the Vatican is full of journalists in the days before the announcement of the new pope. RNS photo by David Gibson

In preparation for the conclave and announcement of a new pope, workers carry chairs into the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

A view of St. Peter’s square days before the Vatican will announce a new pope. RNS photo by David Gibson

The Vatican has their own fire department vehicles ready for any emergency. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

The roof of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday (March 12) the Vatican said Friday, resolving an open question that had dogged the cardinals meeting here over the past week. RNS photo by David Gibson

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