Beginning of Sensitive and Historic Process of Electing New Pope
Cardinals of the Catholic Church have begun the sensitive and historic process of electing a new pope in Vatican City.
On Wednesday, May 7th, cardinals of the Catholic Church gathered in Vatican City to begin voting for the election of a new pope following the final celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The liturgical ceremony was conducted by “Giovanni Battista Re,” the head of the College of Cardinals. During this ceremony, prayers were offered for 133 cardinals before they entered the Sistine Chapel, seeking wisdom, sound counsel, and proper understanding as they proceed with the voting.
Among the 133 cardinals participating in this vote, there are deep disagreements, and the selection of the leader of Catholics worldwide will be unpredictable and highly complex. Before entering the chapel, they are isolated and separated, and their mobile phones are confiscated. Additionally, wireless communications around Vatican City are disrupted to ensure no contact is made until the new pope is elected.
This confidential vote, known as “Conclave,” is being held in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City and commenced at 4:30 p.m. local time after the cardinals entered the church. Following the closing of the chapel doors and the proclamation of “Extra Omnes” (everyone out), they will remain in complete isolation until a new pope is determined. Only 133 cardinals out of more than 250 eligible cardinals under 80 years of age are qualified to vote.
They are representatives from Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Oceania. Voting will be held in two rounds, morning and afternoon, and will continue until one candidate obtains two-thirds of the votes plus one. This highly confidential process will be conducted, and after each voting round, ballots are burned in a special stove.
The first vote took place this afternoon, and Vatican City announced that if no one is elected in this round, black smoke will emerge from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel around 7 p.m. The black smoke rising from the chimney indicates no agreement has been reached, while white smoke signals the election of a new pope. Thousands of Christians stand in St. Peter’s Square waiting to see this smoke so they can learn of the new pope’s election.
