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What does the command “Extra omnes” require before voting begins in the Sistine Chapel?

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Cardinals of the Catholic Church, dressed in red, sit at long tables in the Sistine Chapel during the 2005 papal election conclave, surrounded by ornate frescoed walls. — papal conclave Cardinals assembled inside the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican Palace for a conclave to elect a new pope; Vatican City, 2005.

The command “Extra omnes,” which is Latin for “Outside, all,” is issued by the master of pontifical liturgical celebrations before the papal conclave begins its voting process in the Sistine Chapel.1

This command requires everyone who is not a cardinal elector to leave the chapel, including the master of ceremonies himself. Once these individuals have exited, the chapel is sealed to ensure the strict secrecy of the election procedure. Only after the chapel has been cleared and the electors have sworn an oath of secrecy does the voting by secret ballot commence.12