Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, is sharing his wisdom with fellow cardinals as they gear up for their first conclave. Speaking in an interview, he candidly advised, "Bring a book" for those unfamiliar with the lengthy and often silent voting process used to select the next pope.

As the cardinals prepare for their stay at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican's guesthouse, Cardinal Dolan highlighted the importance of patience. "I do bring reading material," he noted, as the conclave can be filled with long stretches of quiet while the cardinals cast their secret ballots in the historic Sistine Chapel. Each participant must swear an oath of confidentiality and can only be chosen with a two-thirds majority during the voting rounds.

The ritual of voting can take an hour or longer. "You’re not at the edge of your seat while they do that," Dolan recounted, sharing his experience from the conclave that led to Pope Francis's election in 2013. In a thoughtful nod to the stunning artistry around him, he plans to read a biography of Michelangelo, reminding participants of the chapel's profound significance and the spiritual weight of their decision-making.