The Lockdown Begins: The Cardinals Retreat into the Sistine Chapel for the Conclave
Door Remains Locked Since 17:46 Hours.
The globe pins its hope on Rome: After over a decade, a conclave to elect the new pope has commenced. The doors of the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals are now locked away to choose the successor of the deceased Pope Francis, were sealed at precisely 4:46 PM. After the Latin command "all out" ("everyone out"), everyone except the red-robed cardinals had to vacate the chapel.
The decision might take some days to announce. It is generally speculated that the choice will be made by the end of this week, although it isn't guaranteed. Until that moment, the rest of the world will rely on smoke signals from the chimney atop the chapel's roof. Black smoke signals no decision yet. White smoke signals a new pope.
A Peek into the Prospective Papal Election
The first vote commenced in the afternoon. It's predicted that the smoke will rise from the newly installed chimney between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM for the first time. Everyone expects it to be black. It's highly improbable that a new pope will arise immediately. To guarantee the smoke's definitive hue, some chemicals are mixed in with the burnt ballot papers that produce the smoke. In some cases, it turns out gray.
After a brief prayer, the cardinals adjourn to the Vatican guesthouse Santa Marta for dinner. They will reside there during the duration of the conclave, isolated from the outside world. They are required to give up their mobile phones and other digital devices. They can utilize the evening for discussions, prayers, or reading.
Popes later chatter
The conclave will witness up to four ballots every Thursday, two in the morning and two in the afternoon—unless a two-thirds majority emerges for one of the cardinals. The term Conclave derived from the Latin cum clave: with the key, i.e., locked in the Sistine Chapel.
Glimpse into the Papal Election: Who is primed for the Throne?
This conclave is the largest and most internationally represented yet. Francis promoted numerous new church officials, often hailing from distant countries. Consequently, a two-thirds majority signifies 89 votes this time. Some speculate that it could take longer than expected due to the conclave's colossal size and global representation. Since the 1960s, all conclaves concluded within two or three days.
Before the official commencement, the cardinals marched in a solemn procession from the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican to the Sistine Chapel. There they pledged an oath. In the oath, they vowed adherence to the rules, including absolute secrecy about the events transpiring behind the chapel's door. Sometimes, revelations surface, even years later: Even Francis spoke about the events of 2013, when he was chosen.
The electoral assembly is headed by the most senior eligible cardinal, Italian Pietro Parolin. At 70 years old, Parolin served as the Vatican's Secretary of State under Francis, making him the number two. Parolin is also considered a favorite for Francis' succession. However, the lists of potential new popes have been expanding daily.
Other Italian contenders include the Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Also in contention are the Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, the Frenchman Jean-Marc-Aveline, the Portuguese José Tolentino de Mendonça, the Hungarian Peter Erdő, and the Luxembourger Jean-Claude Hollerich.
- The cardinals, representing numerous international countries within the Catholic church, are now gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the concluded conclave, with the hope of electing a successor to Pope Francis.
- The unlikely event of a new pope being chosen during the initial vote is highly improbable, as the cardinals are expected to continue voting multiple times, each with the addition of chemicals to the burnt ballot papers to produce the smoke signals.
- The smoke signals from the chapel's chimney will provide general-news updates on the papal election's progress, with black smoke indicating no decision yet, and white smoke signaling the arrival of a new pope.
- The eventual choice for pope, rumored to be among the cardinals such as Pietro Parolin, Matteo Zuppi, or Jean-Claude Hollerich, may face scrutiny due to their differing ideologies on issues like climate change, social justice, and LGBTQ acceptance, shaping the future dynamics of the Catholic church and Vatican's politics.
