Conclave voting at Vatican fails to elect new pope in initial ballot
Fickle Fumes: First Puff of Smoke From Vatican Conclave Lacks Clarity
The chimney at the Sistine Chapel billows smoke in the evening, heralding an inconclusive first round of voting in the pompous game of thrones unfolding within the Vatican walls. Black smoke ascending the sky means no new pope has been crowned yet, a situation that's leaving tens of thousands on St. Peter's Square in a state of anxious anticipation.
Smoke Screens and Bureaucratic Brawls
The cardinals, representing the world's approximately 1.4 billion Catholics, have been locked in heated debates since the afternoon. Regrettably, none of the 133 churchmen have earned the necessary two-thirds majority to inherit the mantle from the late Pope Francis.
Eager crowds gathered on St. Peter's Square kept a pitiful gaze fixed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, hoping for the first sign of white smoke—a beacon of hope that signifies a new pope. But alas, the skies remain dark, a portent of further uncertainty.
Patience (Or Lack Thereof) is a Virtue
It took much longer than expected for the smoke to sprout from the chimney, and the the crowd's impatience spilled over in fits of clapping and hearty laughter when an airplane left white streaks in the sky behind the chimney.
As it stands, it could take a considerable amount of time before the 267th pope in two millennia of church history is officially announced. The general expectation is that a decision will be reached by this week's end, yet there's no guarantee. Until then, the world remains captive to the smoke signals that rise from the incredible chapel's chimney on the Apostolic Palace's roof.
Cardinals: The Architects of Fate
Following the disappointing first round of voting, the cardinals will return to the Santa Marta guesthouse for a brief prayer before retiring for the night. They'll remain there, cut off from the outside world, for the duration of the election. Their mobile phones and digital devices have been surrendered, granting them a chance to converse, pray, or read at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, or the official name of the residence.
Architectural Marvels Born from the Need for Secrecy
The current conclave boasts the largest and most internationally diverse group of cardinals ever. The late Pope Francis has ushered in many new church leaders, frequently from nations far from the Vatican. Therefore, achieving a two-thirds majority this time calls for 89 votes. Some speculate it may take longer than usual. Since the 1960s, nearly all conclaves have concluded within two or three days.
Divine Guidance and Personal Sacrifice
The morning saw the cardinals participating in a solemn mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Past their 80th birthday, cardinals ineligible to vote attended, too. The mass was led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Italian Giovanni Battista Re.
Re expressed the hope that the cardinals would invite the assistance of the Holy Spirit for the election and would "set aside all personal considerations." Now, he declared, they should only "have God and Jesus Christ, and the good of the Church and humanity on their mind and in their hearts."
A Powerful Position, Surrounded by Secrets
The conclave, a closed event, will reconvene on Thursday. Up to four rounds of voting may take place each day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, unless a two-thirds majority is reached for a single candidate.
International Perspectives and Controversies
The Labyrinthine Path Ahead
The election of an Argentine pontiff named Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who took the name Francis, unfolded in 2013 after one and a half days, during the fifth round of voting. In 2005, German Pope Benedict XVI. was elected with remarkable speed, within four rounds. Benedict would later shock the world by voluntarily resigning in 2013, becoming the first pope in many centuries to do so. He passed away in 2022 at 95 years of age.
According to Catholic doctrine, the Pope is the successor of the Apostle Peter and Jesus Christ's emissary on Earth. He also serves as the Bishop of Rome, the Primate of Italy, and the head of state of Vatican City. Though the Pope possesses little secular power, he wields considerable moral authority for many people.
Source: ntv.de
- Rome
- Catholic Church
- VaticanA papal conclave's voting rounds can significantly vary in number depending on the election's pace. Typically, four rounds of voting occur every day, with two in the morning and two in the afternoon, until a candidate gains the required two-thirds majority. This translates to at least 89 votes out of 133 electors in the 2025 conclave[3][5].
If no pope is elected after three days, there is a pause for a day of prayer and discussion[5]. Additional pauses happen after seven inconclusive rounds, guided by different senior cardinals[5]. Once 21 votes pass without a decision, voting switches to the top two candidates of the previous round, although the two-thirds majority rule still applies[3]. Hence, while there's no fixed total number of rounds, the process endures until agreement is reached, potentially involving numerous rounds over several days to weeks[3][5].
In the heart of Rome, the European Union and the European Community closely observe the ongoing Vatican election, as the future pope will likely shape the world's political landscape.
The cardinals, shrouded in secrecy, have pledged to set aside personal considerations and seek divine guidance during the election process. This papal resignation is a significant event in modern European and general-news politics.
Amidst the smoky backdrop of the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals have commenced their discussions, looking for a new shepherd to lead the Catholic Church. Their selection could have implications for the European Community and the world at large.
The European Community awaits the final outcome of the conclave, hoping for a pope whose tenure will bring peace, justice, and unity to the global community. The world watches as the cardinals craft the fate of the Catholic Church in the Vatican, a process reminiscent of a papal chimney belching out politics and divine intervention alike.
