Firefighters have installed a special chimney atop the Sistine Chapel to signal the election of a new pope, as excitement builds ahead of what is expected to be a unique and potentially contentious gathering. Beginning Wednesday, cardinals will convene amidst beautiful Michelangelo frescoes to cast their votes. Many attendees, including Cardinal Anders Arborelius from Sweden, have noted the unfamiliarity of faces and politics in this conclave, where a mix of progressive and conservative factions exists, increasing the stakes for the church’s future direction.

With tensions high, this conclave could reshape the Catholic Church's path forward, emphasizing the need for unity amidst diversity.