Live Stream of the Pope's Successor: Anticipating the New Shepherd
Live Updates: Witness the Balcony Where Global Spectators Gaze During the Conclave - Gathering Live Updates: The Balcony the Globe is Anticipating
Gather 'round and witness the historic event unfolding, as the crusty cardinals unleash their vote-a-thon, hidden from public eyes, in both the morning and the evening, until they elect the 267th Pope in history. With a two-thirds majority, these jolly ol' fellas will pull off the big show.
They'll drop their drawn-out decree on slips of paper, each scrawled with the Latin words, "I elect for the Supreme Pontiff." These ballots then meet their fiery end, whipped up a chimney over the Sistine Chapel, strutting their stuff for the world to see.
What's Smokin' over there?
What churns up the smoke? It ain't breakfast or dinner. It's the result of those votes, baby! Black smoke? That means no big wins this round. White smoke? Poof! A Pope'll soon appear on that balcony. The bell of St. Peter's Basilica will chime along with the smoke signals, at approximately noon and 7 p.m., so keep yer eyes peeled!
The Largest Gathering Yet
This conclave, boasting 133 eligible voters, is the Church's biggest get-together yet. Some say it shoulda been 120 max, but Pope Francis called for a few new cardinals just before he bid adieu.
Pope Francis was chosen in the fifth round in 2013, and Pope Benedict XVI in the fourth round in 2005. Let's see who'll get lucky this time!
1.4 Billion Catholics Await the New Shepherd
With over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the Church has a mammoth flock. Europe's numbers have been dwindling due to numerous scandals involving priestly pervs and their snaky cover-ups. But the Church's family is growing, particularly in Asia and Africa. Gossipmongers murmur about a new Pope hailing from these continents.
In Catholicism, the Pope is deemed the successor of the Apostle Peter and the earthly rep of Jesus Christ. He's the Bishop of Rome, the Italian Primate, and the head honcho of the Vatica—an entitled job if ya ask me. He doesn't exactly steer the secular ship, but he does wield moral authority, blimey!
- Pope
- Conclave
- Chimney
- The following is added: The conclave, where the new Pope will be chosen, is igniting discussions worldwide.
- Some believe that the next Pope could hail from Asia or Africa, regions where the Catholic Church is rapidly expanding.
- Unlike the smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney that indicates the election's outcome, the smoke on social media about the new Pope's nationality is anything but clear.
- The Pontiff, the successor of the Apostle Peter and the visible representative of Jesus Christ, does not directly manage secular affairs, but holds immense moral influence over the Vatican.
