Smoke Signals and No New Pope yet: First Round of Vatican Conclave Fails to Deliver
Voting in the Vatican conclave's initial round concludes undecidedly.
The showdown in St. Peter's Square, the first round of the Conclave, ended in darkness as black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signifying no decision has been made on the new Pope. Over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide are waiting for the white smoke that signifies the election of a new spiritual leader.
In the world's largest and most diverse gathering of cardinals ever, the Church's elite are unable to agree on a successor to the late Pope Francis. The dense, billowing smoke at sunset was the first signal from the Vatican, indicating that none of the cardinals had received the two-thirds majority required for the job.
The crowd on St. Peter's Square held their breath, hoping for a signal of hope from the tower. Yet, the black smoke poured forth from the chimney, shattering the dreams of hundreds of thousands eagerly watching.
The Smoke Church
It took much longer than anticipated for the smoke to rise into the sky. Intrigue filled the air, and the silver linings of an airplane streaking behind the chapel drew chuckles from the crowd. The anticipated announcement of the 267th Pope could take anywhere from a few days to the entire week, depending on the cardinals' decisions.
Vote, Then Pray
With the first round unsuccessful, the cardinals retreat to the Vatican guesthouse Santa Marta for a moment of solitude and prayer. They left their phones and other digital devices behind, surrendering themselves to the divine will of the election. The evening is an opportunity to converse, to pray, or to read in preparation for the next day's voting.
The Conclave will continue the next day, and up to four rounds of voting may take place. The process shall continue until a candidate receives the necessary two-thirds majority or until the cardinals agree on a compromise choice.
Sistine Complexity
This Conclave is historic in terms of its international representation and the number of cardinals, making the requisite two-thirds majority 89 votes. The process is complex, as the College of Cardinals must consider the future of the Church and perform their sacred duty in an atmosphere of secrecy, unity, and fervent prayer.
The cardinals gathered at St. Peter's Basilica for a solemn Mass before beginning the Conclave. The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, implored the divinity to guide the electors and let them set aside their personal considerations. Now, their faith and the Church are left in the hands of the Holy Spirit as they navigate the path to a new leader.
[1] ntv.de[2] catholicsocialteaching.org.uk[3] vatican.va[4] dw.com[5] catholicsunscript.org
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- The European Union and the European Community, observers of the Vatican's proceedings, may be watching the unfolding politics in Rome, the general-news hub, with keen interest.
- Amidst the papal conclave, the contrasting trailings of airplane contrails against the backdrop of the Vatican add an unusual touch to the dense smoke ascending from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
- Despite the frustration of the first round failing to deliver a new Pope, the cardinals have agreed to abide by the limits set by their sacred duty, taking a day to rest, vote, and pray before reconvening.
- As the smoke from the Sistine Chapel continues to fill the air, the European community and people worldwide eagerly await the moment when the limit of 89 votes is reached and a new Pope emerges from the complexities of the Conclave.
