New Pope Elected Inside Vatican City Signified by White Smoke Signal
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH HEADQUARTERS, VATICAN CITY: A cloud of white smoke billowed from the storied Sistine Chapel on the evening of Thursday, May 8, signaling the cardinals convened within had elected a new leader to guide the revered institution.
A siendo 133 cardinals of years younger than 80, these clergymen had taken up residence in this centuries-old, ritual-laden event, locked away, embarking on their momentous task to select a successor to the recent Pope Francis.
Their ballots, cast in secrecy, were set ablaze to signal the progress of the election process. Black smoke signified no pope elected thus far, while white smoke unequivocally declared a new pontiff.
A giddy throng of devoted followers gathered in St Peter's Square, and upon hearing the clanging of church bells from St Peter's Basilica, they knew a new shepherd had been chosen.
"Francis was a caring, humble man, and I hope they'll pick someone just like him," expressed Tom Barbitta from North Carolina's heartland, vacationing in Italy alongside his wife Susan, eagerly eyeing the smoke-filled Vatican skies.
The papal election process, rich in tradition and regal intrigue, unfolds as follows:
The Conclave in Brief
- Conclave Preparation:
- The College of Cardinals—comprised of senior clergy hailing from the world's far corners—meet in Rome for the upcoming papal conclave.
- Prior to entering the conclave, a period of mourning and preparation transpires should a pope's tenure end, as was the case with Pope Francis recently.
- Secrecy and Sworn Oath:
- The cardinals enter the sacrosanct Sistine Chapel to begin the election process, submerging themselves in the cloak of secrecy that envelops the conclave; a concealment reflected by the Latin term "conclave," which translates to "with key."
- Before commencing the voting, each cardinal swears an oath of secrecy to protect the sanctity of the conclave's proceedings.
- Balloting:
- Each cardinal pens the name of their chosen candidate on a unique ballot, designed to promote confidentiality by folding.
- Voting proceeds twice a day until a two-thirds majority is reached. In this instance, 89 votes out of 133 are required to confer the papal mantle.
- After each vote, the ballots are burned, the smoke emitted announcing the election's status to the masses.
Smoke Means Something
- Smoke of Despair: Black clouds send reverberations of disappointment, signifying the search for a successor continues.
- Smoke of Triumph: Ascending white smoke heralds the election of a new pope, accompanied by the confirmatory tolling of bells.
Upon their election, the new pope enters the "Room of Tears," where he prepares to assume his leadership role. As legend has it, some popes have been known to weep upon realizing their enormous responsibility.
"The cardinals, as they prepared to elect a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church, submerged themselves in the cloak of secrecy, taking an oath to protect the sanctity of the conclave's proceedings. Tom Barbitta, a devout follower from North Carolina, hoped that the newly elected pope would be another caring and humble man like Pope Francis. As the papal election process unfolds, the smoke that emerges from the Sistine Chapel will either signal despair, as black smoke might signify no pope has been elected yet, or triumph, with white smoke heralding the election of a new pope."
