As the Vatican’s search for a new pope continues, a mysterious black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no consensus has been reached among the 133 cardinals in the conclave to elect a new leader.
The conclave to elect a new pope has entered its third round, with no candidate securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes. The Sistine Chapel‘s chimney continues to billow black smoke, signaling that no consensus has been reached among the 133 cardinals.
For much of the past century, the conclave has needed between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. Notable examples include ‘John Paul I, who was elected on his fourth ballot in 1978,’ and ‘Pope Francis, who was elected on his fifth ballot in 2013.’
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state under Francis, has assumed leadership of the proceedings as the most senior cardinal under age 80 eligible to participate. Some speculate that Parolin may have received an informal endorsement from Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who presided over the Mass before the conclave and was quoted as saying he is certain the cardinals will elect ‘the pope that the church and world need today.’
Pietro Parolin is an Italian cardinal and the current Secretary of State for the Holy See.
Born on January 17, 1955, in Schiavon, Italy, he was ordained as a priest in 1980.
Parolin served as the Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico from 1998 to 2009 and later as the Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba.
He has been a key figure in Vatican diplomacy, playing a crucial role in various international relations.
In 2013, Pope Francis appointed him Secretary of State, a position he still holds.
While some express optimism about a quick election, others are more critical of Francis. The Rev. Jan Dominik Bogataj, a Slovene Franciscan friar, stated that if he were in the Sistine Chapel, he would vote for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, citing his clear ideas and direct approach.
The voting process follows a strict choreography, dictated by church law. Each cardinal writes their choice on a piece of paper and approaches the altar one by one to cast their vote. The ballots are then opened one by one by three different ‘scrutineers’ who read out the names aloud.
The first ballot was held late in the evening, prompting speculation about what took so long. Some cardinals had expected a short conclave, but recent history suggests that it will likely take several rounds of voting to settle on the next pope.
As the search for a new pope continues, the world waits anxiously for the outcome. With no clear consensus in sight, the process is expected to be lengthy and complex.
When the papacy becomes vacant, the College of Cardinals gathers in conclave to elect a new Pope.
The cardinals are sealed within the Sistine Chapel and take turns casting ballots until a two-thirds majority is reached.
The process is overseen by the Camerlengo, who ensures the secrecy and integrity of the election.
Once elected, the new Pope chooses his papal name and begins his reign with an inaugural Mass.
