Pope Selection: The 2023 Conclave Commences
Shut since 5:46 p.m., this particular doorway remains sealed.
The curtains are drawn: the 133 eligible cardinals are now ensconced in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave. Global spectators are fixated on a solitary chimney, anticipating the sight of white smoke—which would signal the Catholic Church's new leader.
The world's gaze is now pointed towards Rome: a conclave to elect the new pope has begun after over a decade. At precisely 17:46, the door to the Sistine Chapel, where these 133 cardinals are now isolated to determine the successor of the late Pope Francis, was sealed. After the Latin call "extra omnes" ("everyone out"), all but the cardinals draped in red were made to vacate the chapel.
It's anyone's guess as to how long it'll take for the 267th pope in two millennia of church history to be announced. Generally speaking, it's presumed that a decision will materialize by the end of this week, but this is not certain. Until then, the world remains at the mercy of smoke signals from the chimney perched upon the roof of the chapel. Black smoke translates to: no decision yet. White smoke: a new pope has emerged.
Rome's Panorama: Data on Papal Election
The day's initial ballot took place in the afternoon. It's predicted that smoke will rise from the newly installed chimney between 19:00 and 20:00 for the first time. It's considered highly improbable that a new pope will appear instantly. Specially formulated chemicals blend with the burned ballot papers to ensure the color immaculate. Nevertheless, it can sometimes become a murky gray.
After a brief prayer, the cardinals retreat to the Vatican guesthouse, Santa Marta for dinner. They will remain ensconced in the guesthouse for the entire duration of the conclave—also isolated from the outside world. They must relinquish all mobile phones and other electronic devices during their stay. The evening provides an opportunity for conversations, prayers, or reading.
Popes Speak Later
On Thursday, up to four ballots will occur, two in the morning and two in the afternoon—unless a two-thirds majority has been achieved for one of the cardinals. The term "conclave" stems from Latin cum clave: with the key, implying that the cardinals are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel.
The Contenders
This conclave boasts a larger and more internationally representative contingent than ever before. Francis fostered many new church leaders throughout his tenure, often hailing from remote regions of the globe. Consequently, a two-thirds majority amounts to 89 votes in this conclave. Some suspect that it may take a longer time than usual. Since the 1960s, conclaves have been concluded (pun intended) within two or three days' time.
Prior to the official commencement, the cardinals marched in a solemn ceremony from the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican to the Sistine Chapel. They swore an oath thereupon, pledging to abide by the rules, including maintaining absolute silence regarding the proceedings behind the chapel's doors. Sometimes, earlier events are revealed; even Francis discussed his experience during his election in 2013.
In the morning, the cardinals attended a solemn mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Some cardinals who exceeded the age limit of 80 and are therefore ineligible to participate in the voting process were among the attendees of the service. The mass, titled "Pro eligendo Romano Pontefice" ("For the Election of the Roman Pontiff"), was presided over by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Italian Giovanni Battista Re. Despite his advanced age, the Dean himself is not taking part in the conclave.
The assembly of electors will be managed by the highest-ranking eligible cardinal, Italian Pietro Parolin. At 70 years old, Parolin served as the Cardinal Secretary of State under Francis in the Vatican, making him the second-in-command. Parolin is also regarded as a strong contender for the succession of the Argentine.
However, the list of potential new popes has grown longer each day. Alongside Parolin, two other Italians are rumored to be in the running: Archbishop of Bologna Matteo Zuppi and Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Other names being tossed around in the conversation include Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, Frenchman Jean-Marc-Aveline, Portuguese José Tolentino de Mendonça, Hungarian Peter Erdö, and Luxembourgian Jean-Claude Hollerich.
Source: ntv.de, jog/dpa
Enrichment Data:
Key Points
- The Papal Conclave follows a well-defined set of rules and procedures to elect a new pope.
- A two-thirds majority is needed to elect a pope, translating to 89 votes considering 133 eligible cardinals.
- The voting process takes place in the Sistine Chapel, with cardinals isolating themselves from the outside world during the conclave.
- Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in the conclave and vote for the successor of the pope.
- The election process involves several rounds of balloting, with smoke signals (black or white) indicating the progress of the conclave.
- The Vatican, as the international epicenter of the Catholic church, hosts the 2023 papal conclave, where cardinals aim to elect a successor for Pope Francis.
- Despite the use of social media for entertainment and communication, the cardinals who partake in the conclave are required to abandon their electronic devices to maintain isolation.
- With signs of smoke from the Sistine Chapel's chimney, the outside world will receive signals indicating the progress or outcomes of the selection process for the new pope.
- In this unprecedentedly diverse conclave, an unlikely number of contenders for the papacy, hailing from various corners of the world, are expected to vie for the position.
