Shut the Doors, the Conclave Commences: Searching for a New Pope in Rome's Sistine Chapel
Shut since 5:46 p.m., this door remains firmly shut.
The buzz in the air is electric: The 133 eligible cardinals have sequestered themselves within the revered walls of the Sistine Chapel for the conclave. Our gazes are locked on a modest chimney, hoping to witness the invisible hand of fate guiding the Catholic Church into its next chapter.
At exactly 5:46 PM, the door of the Sistine Chapel slammed shut. A strict isolation now cloaks the crimson-robed cardinals as they work tirelessly to select the successor for the late Pope Francis.
As we eagerly anticipate the determination of the 267th pope in the church's two-thousand-year history, time may transverse at a snail's pace. Predictions range from a conclusion by the end of the week to a more protracted deliberation, but we remain receptive to all possibilities.
Trusty smoke signals are our hallmark indicators. A black plume ascending from the chimney on the rooftop signifies no decision has been reached. Contrarily, a pure white puff marks the dawn of a new papacy.
Inside the Vatican's Inner Sanctum
The chapel is adorned with the ceaseless hum of ballots, punctuated by the resolute rhythm of prayers. During the voting rounds, the cardinals retire to the tranquil quarters of the Vatican guesthouse, Santa Marta, where they forego contact with the world beyond. Devices such as mobile phones and tablets are surrendered, leaving cardinals to spend their evenings in contemplation among their fellow cardinals.
Rumors and Rhetoric
Four ballots are projected for Thursday, barring a two-thirds majority emergence of a candidate on any given day. The term "Conclave" derives from the Latin "cum clave," which signifies locked together, referring to the Sistine Chapel's sealed doors.
Contenders for the Papal Throne
This conclave presents the largest and the most globally representative since history's inception. A two-thirds majority, equivalent to 89 votes, will decide the new pontiff due to Francis' promotion of diverse, international church leaders. Rumors swirl about the length of the deliberation, as some suspect that a decision may not be swift as in past conclaves.
Before the official start of proceedings, a solemn ceremony commenced with the cardinals processing from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel. Upon entering, the cardinals took an oath to preserve secrecy, sharing the knowledge of what unfolds in the chapel only after they discern the final outcome.
Yet, this cloak of secrecy is not entirely impenetrable. Details from previous conclaves, such as Francis' disclosure of his own election in 2013, occasionally seep into the light of day.
The morning prayers kicked off with a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, attended by cardinals, including those beyond the octogenarian age limit. The mass, "Pro eligendo Romano Pontefice," was conducted by Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who regrettably cannot participate in the conclave due to his advanced age.
The proceedings are lead by Pietro Parolin, the highest-ranking eligible cardinal, and an Italian by birth. As Francis' Secretary of State, Parolin is a prominent contender for the Argentine's succession but faces fierce competition from a multitude of other hopefuls.
Some of the notable Italian contenders include Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Internationally, Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, Frenchman Jean-Marc-Aveline, Portuguese José Tolentino de Mendonça, Hungarian Peter Erdő, and Luxembourgish Jean-Claude Hollerich are at the heart of the conversation.
The distant possibility of the first black African Pope emerges with Ghanaian Peter Turkson, while Portuguese youth contender José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça might yet carve a striking impact with his potential for a long-standing papacy. Mario Grech, a Maltese, serves as Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, and is another of the papabile, or those considered suitable for the papacy.
Sources
- ntv.de
- jog/dpa
- The upcoming selection of the new Pope in the Catholic Church's two-thousand-year history, within the Sistine Chapel's sealed doors, is reminiscent of the Latin term "cum clave," signifying a global, diverse conclave.
- The power dynamics and politics surrounding the papal succession are evident, with several contenders vying for the papal throne, such as Italian Pietro Parolin and Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle.
- Omnes cardinals, including internationally renowned figures like Jean-Claude Hollerich from Luxembourg, are adhering to an oath of secrecy as they work towards choosing the 267th pope, with some predictions suggesting a prolonged decision-making process.
- In the general news, the Vatican's inner sanctum has been abuzz with unlikely signals, from the strikingly diverse representation in this conclave to speculation over how long the voting process might take.
