It's Time for the Chimney!
Vatican fire department mounts a smoke vent on the Sistine Chapel's rooftop for the impending papal selection
Get ready for some holy smokes as the Vatican firefighters put up the chimney on the Sistine Chapel's roof on Friday, marking a crucial step in the preparations for the May 7 papal conclave. The chimney will let us all know when a new pope has been elected by sending either white or black smoke signals into the Roman sky.
This is a significant milestone in the Vatican's papal election process. After every round of voting inside the Sistine Chapel, the ballots of the cardinals are burned in a special furnace, with the resulting color smoke indicating the election outcome to the outside world. White smoke means a new pope, while black smoke indicates no pope chosen yet.
Do you remember the last time we saw white smoke? That was back on March 13, 2013, when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was introduced to us as Pope Francis. He was history's first Latin American pope and breathed fresh life into the Catholic Church until his passing on April 21, 2023, at age 88.
Reminiscing Pope Francis
- Bye Bye Becciu! Disgraced Cardinal Becciu formally withdrew from participating in the conclave to elect the new pope.
- Who was Cardinal Becciu, anyway? A rundown of the once-powerful Italian cardinal and why he won't be casting a vote.
- Papal Calendar Reset: Vatican sets May 7 as start of conclave to replace Pope Francis
- The Vatican's Aging Power Players: The status of a once-powerful Italian cardinal looms as the Vatican prepares a conclave
- Pope Francis, the People's Pope: Remembered as a charismatic and inclusive leader
- Millennial Saint's Canonization: Thousands gather for the canonization ceremony, but they stayed for the Pope Francis' funeral
As cardinals arrive in the Vatican for more pre-conclave discussions, the focus is on the future direction of the Catholic Church. These talks cover a variety of topics, including the Church's financial situation and the type of pope needed to run the Vatican.
Cardinals over the age of 80, who are ineligible to vote in the conclave, also gather for these discussions to offer their insights on the Church's needs and challenges. Some cardinals have expressed concern about the Church's finances, drawing attention to its dire straits.
Pope Francis, though divisive to some, was admired by many for his focus on the marginalized, the poor, and inclusivity. While conservatives and traditionalists, believed not to hold a majority among the electors, hope for a new pope that will reassert core teachings, create stability, and maintain order within the Vatican bureaucracy.
Among the older, non-voting cardinals has been Cardinal Beniamino Stella, who criticized Francis' reform of the Vatican bureaucracy during a recent session. Stella, who is 83, objected to the decision to allow women and lay people to head Holy See offices instead of clergy.
Francis' reform, which was years in the making and aimed to make the Holy See more efficient and service-oriented, brought about significant changes. He named two laymen to head the Vatican communications operation and the economy ministry, as well as two nuns to head important Vatican offices.
As the older cardinals' influence on the younger cardinals' decisions remains unclear, certain cardinals have emphasized the importance of unity and stability within the Church.
Sources:1. CNA2. America3. National Catholic Reporter4. Crux Now5. The Tablet
*In the coming days, Seattle's local news outlets will undoubtedly highlight the ongoing political discussions concerning the Church's policy-and-legislation and economy.
*Amidst these talks, the economic state of the Vatican and the type of pope that could steer the Vatican's finances towards stability remains a focal point.
*As the 131 electors assemble, notable cardinals such as Beniamino Stella, who expressed concerns about the Vatican reforms during Francis' time, may have an impact on the newer generation's decisions.
*The importance of unity and stability within the Church could potentially lead to a pope who focuses on core teachings and maintaining order within the Vatican bureaucracy.
*Critics and supporters of Francis' reforms will monitor the outcome of the papal conclave, as the decision could mark a significant shift in the Church's policy and direction.
