A New Chapter Begins: The Sacred Conclave for the Election of a New Pope
In a remarkable display of faith and devotion, a woman from Polynesia has made a long journey to St. Peter's Basilica, donning a traditional cloth woven from plant fibers. She joins thousands of believers who have gathered in the iconic church for what promises to be a historic occasion. "I am in the process of rediscovering my faith," she shares, as she waits patiently for the commencement of the Mass for the election of the Roman Pontiff. With a capacity of up to 20,000 worshippers, St. Peter's Basilica is a melting pot of global congregation, united in purpose and spirit.
On a pivotal Wednesday morning, the long-anticipated conclave officially began as cardinals from around the world convened for the Missa Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice. In the afternoon, 133 voting cardinals were set to ceremoniously enter the Sistine Chapel, led through the Capella Paolina in the Apostolic Palace. Once inside, the doors would close, allowing only the Electors—the eligible voters—to remain, further heightening the sense of anticipation and mystery surrounding the election.
As part of the process, the cardinal delivers a heartfelt sermon, emphasizing the gravity of their duty in choosing the new pope. Following the sermon, the ballots will be burned in an oven, with white smoke signaling a successful election while black smoke indicates further deliberation is necessary. However, for Wednesday evening, no white smoke was anticipated given there was only to be one ballot after the cardinals' inauguration. The chances of finding a successor to Pope Francis on the first attempt are slim and would indeed create a sensation in the Catholic community.
Starting Thursday, after the morning Mass in the Sistine Chapel, the voting will intensify, with two ballots each morning and afternoon. Crucially, there won’t be smoke after each ballot; rather, the ballots from both unsuccessful rounds will be collectively discarded, culminating in a single burn for both. Traditionally, the senior cardinal oversees the conclave; however, with Giovanni Battista Re, the cardinal dean, at 91, he is not leading the proceedings. Instead, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, has stepped in as a frontrunner for the papacy.
In his address, Cardinal Re spoke passionately about the substantial responsibilities the cardinals are facing. Quoting the Gospel from the Last Supper, he reminded the assembly that the cornerstone of their mission should be love. "Love must characterize their thinking and actions; love is the only force capable of changing the world," he asserted. Re reflected on the vital mission of the Church as a home and a community school, echoing sentiments of Pope Paul VI on fostering a civilization of love. Re’s sermon drew applause from the audience, capturing the spirit and challenges incumbent upon the Church in today’s complex world.
Re underscored the Church's commitment to fundamental human and spiritual values, which he believes are essential in ensuring a better coexistence for future generations. He emphasized that a pope's role extends beyond self-interest to fostering a sense of global community, bridging divides among people, nations, and cultures. While the notion of a synodal church, often advocated by Pope Francis, was not mentioned, the call for inclusivity is implicit in the expectations from the new leader of the Church.
After the Mass, while the cardinals enjoyed a quiet lunch at the Santa Marta guesthouse, they were granted fleeting moments of respite before the extensive voting process began. The realm of the papal election is one of marked secrecy; cardinals are cut off from the outside world, and strict protocols dictate that they remain uncommunicative. A bus ferries them between the guesthouse and the chapel, while Vatican staff are instructed to refrain from addressing them in public.
As the waiting game unfolds outside St. Peter's Square, the world watches with bated breath, awaiting the choice of the cardinals and the dawn of a new era for the Catholic Church.
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